MINNEAPOLIS When a man with an expressed hatred for Muslims holding public office goes before a New York federal judge and hears his sentence for threatening to kill U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar, he will have a prominent Muslim politician on his side.
Ilhan Omar.
The Minnesota Democrat submitted a letter Tuesday to U.S. District Judge Frank Geraci asking that he show mercy and not give 55-year-old Patrick W. Carlineo Jr. a lengthy prison sentence or substantial fine for calling her Capitol Hill office earlier this year and threatening to shoot her in the head.
Carlineo pleaded guilty Monday in Rochester to threatening to assault and murder a United States official and being a felon in possession of firearms.
While Carlineo faces a maximum of 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $500,000, if the sentences on each count are to be served consecutively, the plea agreement between the prosecution and defense calls for a prison term of 12 to 18 months, followed by supervised release of one to three years, and a fine ranging from $5,500 to $55,000.
Even with the plea deal, Geraci has wide discretion in sentencing, limited only by the maximum terms set in the statute. He also has the option to spare Carlineo prison altogether, a possibility in light of Omars stepping up for the man who wished her dead.
In her letter, Omar urged the judge for a system of compassion to be applied at sentencing on Feb. 14 for Carlineo, who remains free for now, other than during his 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. home curfew.
Omar sought not to downplay the seriousness of Carlineos threat, pointing out in her letter that as someone who fled a war zone (in Somalia), I know how destabilizing acts of political violence can be and that this was not just a threat against me as an individual _ it was a threat against an entire religion, at a time of rising hate crimes against religious minorities in our country.
But Omar, who in recent months has received other death threats, appealed to the judge to show leniency.
Punishing the defendant with a lengthy prison sentence or a burdensome financial fine would not rehabilitate him, she wrote to Geraci, who was appointed to the bench by President Barack Obama. It would not repair the harm he has caused. It would only increase his anger and resentment.
Instead, she told the judge, We must teach the defendant love. For this reason, I do not believe the defendant would be served by a severe prison sentence or substantial financial fine and ask you to show compassion in your sentencing.
Carlineos attorney, Sonya Zoghlin, said in response to Omars letter: We certainly agree with Congresswoman Omars recommendation that he be treated with compassion, rather than retribution. She is absolutely correct that greater understanding and mutual respect is not furthered by incarceration.
Prosecutors say Carlineo called Omars office March 21 and said, Do you work for the Muslim Brotherhood? Why are you working for her, shes a (expletive) terrorist. Somebody ought to put a bullet in her skull. Back in the day, our forefathers would have put a bullet in her (expletive).
The staff member also recalled that Carlineo said, Ill put a bullet in her (expletive) skull. He also left his contact information with the staff member.
After receiving the call, the threat was referred to the U.S. Capitol Police, which began an investigation in coordination with the FBI.
Carlineo told an FBI agent eight days later that he was a patriot who loves President Donald Trump and hates radical Muslims in the government.
