Pennsylvania Man Who Threatened to Shoot Dead 'Anti-Christ' Obama Sentenced to Prison
A Pennsylvania man who threatened to shoot dead President Barack Obama, who he referred to as the "anti-Christ," has been sentenced to one year in prison and ordered to get mental help.
Nicholas Savino, 42, reportedly made the threat on the White House website last year, Reuters reported.
U.S. District Judge James Munley also ordered the man to undergo mental health treatment, and to forfeit the guns and ammunition seized from his home. Police found two assault weapons, 11,000 rounds of ammunition, a long-range scope, and a third weapon found in his car. Literature on How to Shoot Under Pressure and on using airplanes as weapons was also found in his possession.
The White House message from Savino read: "President Obama the Anti-Christ. As a result of breaking the constitution you will stand down or be shot dead."
The threat was made the same month Obama was scheduled to make several appearances in Pennsylvania.
Court records also revealed that he planned to share his intentions with "militias throughout the country and the media," An investigation found that he had indeed sent emails to militia members.
Savino pleaded guilty to the threat charge, the LA Times reported, and was indicted by a grand jury last year. He initially faced up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine, but has now been credited with serving 10 months behind bars since last summer, and will serve an additional two years of probation.
Savino's lawyer has said that his client was "mad" in August 2013 and made a "rash, momentary mistake" in sending the threat, PAHomePage.com reported.
"He had received word that his pilot's license was denied. He had been working at it for years, and he really just popped a cork – he lost it, and sent this email out," said defense attorney Paul Ackourey.
