Earlier today, in federal court in Brooklyn, Eduard Florea pleaded guilty before United States Chief Magistrate Judge Cheryl L. Pollak to one count of transmitting threats to injure and one count of possessing ammunition after having been convicted of a felony.\u00a0 When sentenced, Florea faces up to 15 years in prison.<\/p>\n
\u201cWith today\u2019s guilty plea, Florea admits to threatening the life of a successful candidate for the U.S. Senate and to urging others to take up arms to unleash violence at the Capitol on January 6, 2021 to thwart the results of the Presidential election.\u201d stated Acting U.S. Attorney Jacquelyn M. Kasulis. \u201cThis Office is deeply committed to protecting our democratic institutions and to using all available tools to preserve the public safety, uphold the rule of law and support the peaceful transfer of power.\u201d<\/p>\n
As set forth in the court filings and today\u2019s proceeding, Florea posted threatening statements online about killing elected officials, including now-United States Senator Raphael Warnock (D-GA) and committing other acts of violence in Washington, D.C. in connection with the certification of the results of the 2020 Presidential Election.\u00a0 For example, on January 5, 2021, at approximately 8:40 p.m., Florea posted, \u201cWe need to all come to an agreement . . . and go armed . . . and really take back Washington.\u201d A few minutes later, Florea posted, \u201cTomorrow may very [well] be the day war kicks off . . .\u201d\u00a0 At 11:53 p.m. the same day, Florea posted, \u201cWarnock is going to have a hard time casting votes for communist policies when he\u2019s swinging with the f***ing fish.\u201d\u00a0 In the early morning hours of January 6, 2021, at approximately 12:42 a.m., Florea referenced Senator Warnock and stated, \u201cDead men can\u2019t pass sh*t laws . . .\u201d<\/p>\n
On January 6, 2021, after the assault on the United States Capitol had begun, Florea posted that he intended to travel to Washington, D.C. as part of a group armed with firearms ready to engage in additional violence.\u00a0 Between approximately 2:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.\u2014while the Capitol was under siege\u2014Florea posted the following messages, among others:<\/p>\n
On January 12, 2021, FBI Special Agents and Task Force Officers with the New York Joint Terrorism Task Force executed a search warrant at Florea\u2019s home in Middle Village, Queens.\u00a0 The search revealed that Florea, who had been previously convicted of a New York state firearms-related felony, illegally possessed more than 1,000 rounds of ammunition.<\/p>\n