Defendant allegedly posted an internet threat to shoot white
attendees at rally
BOSTON – An Indiana man was arrested today in connection
with posting a threat to shoot white attendees at the Boston Free Speech Rally
held at the Boston Common in August 2017.
Eric M. Radulovic, 32, was indicted on one count of
transmitting in interstate and foreign commerce a threat to injure the person
of another. Radulovic was arrested this morning and will appear in federal
court in Indiana this afternoon. He will appear in Boston on June 20, 2018.
According to the indictment, on or about Aug. 13, 2017, the
day after violent events in Charlottesville, Va., that occurred immediately
following the “Unite the Right” rally, a “Politically Incorrect” discussion
board on 4chan.org promoted a Boston Free Speech Rally scheduled for Saturday,
Aug. 19, 2017, on the Boston Common. The initial post invited “[l]ibertarians,
conservatives, traditionalists, classical liberals, Trump supporters or anyone
else who enjoys their right to free speech,” to attend, “network and befriend
others who share your views, come for good food, and come to stand up against
ANTIFA terrorism.” ANTIFA is short for “anti-fascists,” a movement of people
who generally oppose the white supremacist and “Alt-Right” movements, sometimes
by protesting events or engaging in property damage or violence.
In addition, the initial post warned people not to bring
“any illegal weapons” or to “behave in a manner that makes you look bad.” It
also warned people not to “[c]ome planning to instigate violence,” and that
“[a]ny fights must be strictly defensive.” After the Boston Rally was announced
on 4chan.org, participants in the discussion board discussed whether the Boston
rally would face similar political movements and violence seen at the
Charlottesville rally. The first posted response warned, “Be prepared
everyone. this can get bad.” Later posts included predictions of violence,
attempts to persuade against violence, and discussions of possible violence.
Radulovic, an Indiana resident who lives outside
Indianapolis, was allegedly aware of and upset about the death following the
Charlottesville Rally. As a result, on Aug. 13, 2017, Radulovic, allegedly
posed as a member of the “Alt-Right” or white supremacist movement, anonymously
posting a message on the 4chan.org discussion board regarding the Boston Rally
in which he said he would shoot whites at the rally as a means to obtain
sympathy for the “Alt-right” movement:
“I’m going to bring a Remington 700 and start shooting Alt-right guys.
We need sympathy after that landwhale got all the liberals teary eyed, so
someone is going to have to make it look like the left is becoming more violent
and radicalized. It’s a false flag for sure, but I’ll be aiming for the more
tanned/dark haired muddied jeans in the crowd so real whites won’t have to
worry.” The indictment alleges further that Radulovic posted this for the
purpose of issuing a threat and knowing that it would be interpreted as a
threat.
The charge of transmitting in interstate and foreign
commerce a threat to injure the person of another provides for a sentence of no
greater than five years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a
fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed
by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and
other statutory factors.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling and Harold H. Shaw,
Special Agent in Charge Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division
made the announcement today. The FBI Boston conducted the investigation with
assistance from the Indianapolis Joint Terrorism Task Force. Assistant U.S.
Attorneys Scott Garland of Lelling’s National Security Unit and Anne Paruti of
Lelling’s Major Crimes Unit are prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the indictment are allegations. The
defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a
reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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