(The Center Square) – The U.S. Department of Justice said Thursday it has filed charges against a Tennessee woman accused of threatening U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn.
The investigation began in May when one of Blackburn’s staffers listened to a voicemail from someone threatening the Republican senator.
“I’m gonna shoot her with a gun. I’m gonna blow up her head on national TV. She will literally have brains splattered behind her because she will not be a person,” the caller said, according to information from the Justice Department.
The FBI arrested Penelope R. Convertino, 22, of Murfreesboro, Tenn., on Thursday. She’s charged with making a threat to murder a federal official with the intent to impede, intimidate, and interfere with Blackburn while she was engaged in the performance of her official duties, the department said.
“Our public officials should be able to do their jobs without receiving vile death threats,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Robert E. McGuire. “Threatening public officials with deadly violence cannot and will not be tolerated. We will not hesitate to hold those who make these kinds of violent threats accountable for their crimes.”
BLACKBURN’S GOVERNOR BID OPENS WITH 52-POINT LEAD: POLL
The maximum penalty is 10 years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine if convicted.
Blackburn announced earlier this month that she is running for governor.