A former primary opponent of U.S. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL) is facing federal charges for allegedly threatening to send a “Russian-Ukrainian hit squad” to kill his political rival.
William Braddock, 41, is charged with threatening to kill his primary opponent for the 13th Congressional District of Florida in 2021, the Justice Department announced Friday. Braddock, who hails from St. Petersburg, Florida, is also accused of threatening an acquaintance of his opponent’s. Two two victims were described as “Victim 1″ and “Victim 2” in the indictment, which was unsealed in the Middle District of Florida on Thursday.
Prosecutors allege that on June 8, 2021, Braddock made several threats to injure or kill his primary opponent in a phone call with the second victim. He specifically claimed he would “”call up my Russian-Ukrainian hit squad” to kill the rival candidate.
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According to the DOJ, Braddock left the United States after making the threats and was residing in the Philippines. Braddock was recently deported from the Philippines to the United States and made his first court appearance in Los Angeles on Thursday, Fox News reported.
Luna, a rising star in the conservative movement, was