Radical Anti-Gun Florida Man Gets 15 Months: Threatening Pro-Gun Congresswoman

[MechAg94]

Radical Anti-Gun Florida Man Gets 15 Months for Threatening Pro-Gun Congresswoman
https://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/radical-anti-gun-florida-man-gets-15-months-for-threatening-pro-gun-congresswoman/

In 2021, Matthew Lee Comiskey sent five threatening tweets to Boebert that mentioned firearms and encouraged readers to do her harm. Comiskey originally faced five counts of making an interstate threat but pleaded guilty last year to one count.

I am a bit surprised that 1) he was actually prosecuted for this, and 2) that he got as much as 15 months.  Seems like a lot for someone running their mouth online. 

https://www.palmbeachpost.com/story/news/crime/2023/06/14/south-florida-man-sentenced-for-online-threats-to-u-s-rep-lauren-boebert/70302933007/

Rosenberg granted a defense motion for a downward variance from the minimum sentencing guideline, but rejected a request that Comiskey be given a prison sentence of one month followed by a period of house arrest.

Prior to the judge's ruling, Comiskey faced a minimum of 24 months. In exchange for the plea, prosecutors agreed to drop the remaining four counts of the same charge.

I guess he pled guilty and could have gotten a lot more.

[Hawkmoon]

The defense:

"It's just very unfortunate that Mr. Comiskey has to do jail time. I understand the need for deterrent generally but, in this particular case, it was just a kind, good man who made a big mistake."

No, Counselor, your client is not a kind, good man who made A big mistake. That might describe someone who slipped out of character one time. Your client made multiple threats over an extended period of time. "Kind, good men" don't do that.

[WLJ]

The defense:

    "It's just very unfortunate that Mr. Comiskey has to do jail time. I understand the need for deterrent generally but, in this particular case, it was just a kind, good man who made a big mistake."

No, Counselor, your client is not a kind, good man who made A big mistake. That might describe someone who slipped out of character one time. Your client made multiple threats over an extended period of time. "Kind, good men" don't do that.

Mostly kind, good man.

[230RN]

^ Took me a second, but I finally got it.  Like "mostly peaceful protests."

Good one.

I'm confused about the sentence.  Was it 15 months for one offense, or a combination of offenses adding up to 15 months, or what?

If it were the former, he would now be ineligible to own a firearm, I guess, but if the latter, would four similar offenses of less than a year but adding up to more than a year affect his eligibility?

Terry, 230RN

[MechAg94]

Not sure about that, but it sounded like they would drop or decline to prosecute additional counts that could add up to more time.

[230RN]

But if multiple sentences for a number of identical crimes add up to more than a year but are less than a year for each individual one, would that trigger ineligibility?

See, I'm also thinking of how those per diem fines for N daily violations of a law add up to a huge fine under one crime.  So there's kind of a precedent there...same thing?

Terry

[MechAg94]

What I meant is I think it was 15 or 18 months for the one offense and a few additional counts for the same offense would not be tacked on.  Might depend on the plea agreement.