FBI arrests man for hate-based threats against New York reporter

The FBI arrested a man on Nov. 15, 2024, who was allegedly behind a series of hate-based threats against a reporter in New York’s Hudson Valley.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York announced that Austin Suman was arrested in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, after having allegedly made a series of “violent and hate-based threats” to a news reporter in Orange County via Facebook and email a week prior.

“Hiding behind a screen will not prevent the FBI’s pursuit of those who target others with hateful messages of violence and death,” FBI Assistant Director in Charge James Dennehy said.

According to the complaint, Suman targeted the reporter over her coverage of his arrest in 2019 for allegedly threatening his roommate with a gun, which resulted in his firearms being seized.

Suman’s Nov. 8 messages derided the reporter as a “dumb fuckin cunt,” adding “female journalist what a joke.” He repeatedly used an ethnic slur against people of Hispanic, Latin American or Spanish descent, and asserted, “We are going to deport your family all of them.” Suman then bragged about having “more guns than ever,” and threatened to bomb the reporter’s home and to kill her and her family.

Suman was charged with threatening interstate communications, making a threat involving explosives and interstate stalking. His case will be handled in federal court in White Plains, and he faces a maximum of 20 years in prison if convicted.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office said that addressing such aggressions against journalists is a priority.

“The charges against the defendant demonstrate our resolve to work at lightning speed to neutralize threats against the press—which serves a vital role in our democracy,” U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said. “To any individual who dares to cross the line and make hate-based threats against members of our press: you will be found, and you will be held accountable for your actions.”