A Nesbit man has been sentenced to two-and-a-half years in prison for issuing threatening remarks against minority groups online.
Court documents show that Aubrey Suzuki, 21, was communicating on an encrypted messaging platform with members of a white nationalist organization. Authorities were alerted when Suzuki began making threats to accelerate and wage a race war in the U.S. Suzuki made numerous statements about Nazi and white supremacist ideology.
While investigating the online threats made by Suzuki, agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) learned that he was in the process of purchasing an AR-15 rifle from an online dealer. Suzuki was arrested immediately thereafter.
“The defendant, in this case, made credible threats to shoot members of various minority groups and then purchased a semi-automatic rifle. While all Americans enjoy a constitutional right to free speech, that right does not include a right to threaten or terrorize other individuals,” U.S. Attorney Clay Joyner stated in announcing Suzuki’s sentence. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office will vigorously prosecute such conduct, and the agents and prosecutors who worked to stop this potential mass shooting are to be commended.”
The case was investigated by the FBI and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Clayton A. Dabbs.
“Mr. Aubrey Suzuki sought to intimidate members of the community through his threats,” FBI Special Agent in Charge Jermicha Fomby remarked. “The FBI prioritizes the protection of civil rights to ensure citizens remain safe without fear of any harm. We remain committed to tirelessly thwarting the nefarious actions of those, like Mr. Suzuki, who intend to impart fear upon citizens based on biases.”
