Man indicted on allegations of making antisemitic threats against Sen. Jacky Rosen

A Las Vegas man accused of making antisemitic threats to a Jewish U.S. senator has been indicted on a series of serious federal charges, as the Associated Press reports.

A federal grand jury indicted 43-year-old John Miller on allegations that he made an alarming series of threats against Sen. Jacky Rosen (D-NV) and her family, as well as against the family of another lawmaker.

Indictment issued

According to a press release from the Department of Justice, the criminal complaint in the case alleges that between Oct. 11 and Oct. 19 of this year, Miller left a series of intimidating voicemail messages at the office of a lawmaker ultimately confirmed as Rosen.

Notably, on Oct. 17, Miller reportedly threatened to “assault, kidnap, or murder the United States Senator with intend to impede, intimidate, or interfere with the United States Senator while engaged in the performance of official duties, or with intent to retaliate against the United State Senator on account of the performance of official duties.”

On Oct. 18, Miller reportedly appeared at the Lloyd D. George Courthouse in Las Vegas, saying that he intended to see Rosen, and when he declined to cooperate with instructions from court security staff, he was refused entry into the building, at which point he began shouting profanities.

Rosen is a staunch supporter of Israel and has advocated for additional, U.S. financial assistance to the Jewish state amid its conflict with Hamas.

According to the AP, Miller's voicemail messages included antisemitic slurs and references to the Holocaust as well as the current unrest between Israel and Hamas.

Prosecution underway

Miller is currently in federal custody, and his trial is slated for January.

If convicted on one charge of threatening a federal official and two counts of influencing, impeding or retaliating against a federal official by threatening a family member, Miller faces up to 10 years in prison.

Sen. Rosen's office was asked for comment in the wake of Miller's indictment, but instead referenced a statement that was issued after his initial arrest.

A spokesperson for the senator said at the time, “Threats against public officials should be taken seriously. Senator Rosen trusts the U.S. Attorney's office and federal law enforcement to handle this matter.”

The case involving Miller comes at a time of increased reports of virulent antisemitic rhetoric and activity in the U.S. and abroad, and it should serve as a reminder for all to remain vigilant when it comes to religious intolerance and intimidation of any sort.