Man Sentenced for Threats Against Congresswoman Gabbard

File photo by Wendy Osher.

By Wendy Osher

A New York man was sentenced to two years and nine months in jail for making a series of threats against Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard of Hawaiʻi.

Officials with the US Justice Department say Aniruddha Sherbow, 44, was also ordered to pay $538,282 in restitution to the US government, as reimbursement for security expenses incurred as a result of the threats.

Sherbow pleaded nolo contendere in February to two counts of transmission of threats in interstate commerce.  Under the plea, Justice officials say, “a defendant is convicted of the offense, accepts responsibility, and agrees that the government could prove him guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. However, the defendant in such a plea does not admit to the facts of the case.”

Although the alleged threats via email and telephone began around February 2011, Justice Dept. officials say the charges stem from a two threats reported in Aug. 2013.

According to information released by the US Department of Justice, Sherbow left a voicemail message on Congresswoman Gabbard’s phone on Aug. 1, 2013, in which he threatened to kill her. Justice officials say that on Aug. 3, 2013, Sherbow sent an e-mail to Rep. Gabbard and others, including the FBI containing threats directed at the Congresswoman.

In addition to the jail time and restitution, Sherbow was also ordered to get a mental health evaluation and treatment, if necessary; and will be placed on three years of supervised release following his jail time.