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LAS VEGAS (AP) — A federal grand jury has indicted a Las Vegas man arrested last month on suspicion of making anti-Semitic threats against U.S. Sen. Jackie Rosen and his family, as well as the family of another U.S. senator, according to court records. A person has been convicted.
Rosen, a Democrat from Nevada, is Jewish and has maintained a vocal pro-Israel stance, including support for US aid to Israel. Although she is not specifically identified in the indictment, Rosen’s office confirmed allegations to The Associated Press that she and her family were targeted.
John Miller, 43, is charged with one count of threatening a federal officer and two counts of influencing, obstructing or retaliating against a federal officer by threatening a family member. According to court records, Miller is also accused of threatening the family of another unnamed U.S. senator.
The public defender representing Miller did not respond to an email request for comment Thursday.
According to the complaint, Miller allegedly made several threatening calls and voicemails to Rosen last month containing anti-Semitic slurs, some of which referenced the Israel-Hamas war and the Holocaust.
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The indictment comes as many have warned about rising anti-Semitism and Islamophobia in the US and around the world amid the war. The Anti-Defamation League notes a nearly quadrupling of anti-Semitic incidents since the beginning of the war. The Biden administration has also called on universities Fight the “alarming rise” in anti-Semitism and Islamophobia,
According to the complaint, Miller also went to a federal courthouse in Las Vegas to see Rosen on the morning of October 18, but was turned away after refusing to provide identification. It said that after this Miller became agitated and started making threats against Israelis outside the court. He was arrested a week later.
Asked for comment on the indictment, Rosen’s office referred to its statement issued late last month following the suspect’s arrest.
A spokesperson said at the time, “Threats against public officials should be taken seriously.” “Senator Rosen has confidence in the U.S. Attorney’s Office and federal law enforcement to handle this case.”
Miller’s trial is scheduled for January, and he is currently in custody. If found guilty, he faces up to 10 years in prison.
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