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* Press release…
A Rochester, Ill., man has been arrested and charged by criminal complaint with making a threatening communication against U.S. Congressman Rodney Davis. Randall E. Tarr, 64, of the 200 block of E. Mill St., Rochester, Ill., was arrested today and appeared in federal court before U.S. Magistrate Judge Tom Schanzle-Haskins in Springfield.
The affidavit filed in support of the criminal complaint alleges that in the morning of Nov. 25, 2019, Tarr called the Decatur, Ill., office of Congressman Davis and left a profanity-filled voicemail message in which he threatened to shoot the congressman.
According to the affidavit, the voicemail message was forwarded to U.S. Capitol Police, in Washington, D.C. Through caller ID, police identified Tarr as the alleged caller and U.S. Capitol Police contacted the Rochester Police Department to ask officers to make contact with Tarr. Rochester police officers made initial contact with Tarr on Nov. 25, at his residence. According to the affidavit, FBI officers subsequently interviewed Tarr.The complaint charges Tarr with one count of communication of a threat to injure a person, which is punishable by up to five years in prison, and one count of making a threat to a federal official, which carries a statutory maximum penalty of up to 10 years in prison.
During today’s hearing, Judge Schanzle-Haskins appointed the federal public defender to represent Tarr for purposes of determining bond. Tarr was released from custody under conditions, including home detention and location monitoring; prohibited contact with any victims and witnesses; prohibited from consumption of alcohol; and further, that Tarr cooperate in drug and alcohol screening and mental health evaluation. Judge Schanzle-Haskins scheduled the next court appearance for Tarr on Dec. 17, 2019.
Ugh. Days like today really make me despise the entire human race.
The criminal complaint is here.
posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Dec 12, 19 @ 3:14 pm
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=== Days like today really make me despise the entire human race. ===
Seriously.
At least you have Oscar.
Comment by Powdered Whig Thursday, Dec 12, 19 @ 3:18 pm
==prohibited from consumption of alcohol;==
Ya think?
Comment by Da Big Bad Wolf Thursday, Dec 12, 19 @ 3:21 pm
Our country seems to have had a mental breakdown.
It’s difficult not to feel misanthropic…for sure.
Comment by Dotnonymous Thursday, Dec 12, 19 @ 3:21 pm
I’ll assume the feds know their stuff, but it seems to me that there’s daylight between “I’d like to shoot you” and a threat to actually do that. That certainly seems like the pedantic differences lawyers seem to build cases around.
I assume I’m wrong though. Either way, the guy needs some help because he clearly isn’t in a healthy spot.
Comment by Perrid Thursday, Dec 12, 19 @ 3:27 pm
I read somewhere else today about a person couldn’t think of one good thing to say about a single republican legislator because they are still angry at Bruce Rauner. Mental health is important and shouldn’t be ignored.
Comment by Norville Rogers Thursday, Dec 12, 19 @ 3:32 pm
@norville, yeah, that’s totes the same thing
Comment by Navigation Thursday, Dec 12, 19 @ 3:35 pm
Another example of why I should never assume things about people. If you had told me a 64 year old guy named Randall E. Tarr from a tiny rural town like Rochester threatened a congressperson, Rodney Davis would have been the last one I’d have guessed.
Comment by Lester Holt’s Mustache Thursday, Dec 12, 19 @ 3:38 pm
the saddest outcome of social media and 24 hour political news (on both sides) is the hatred we have developed for those who are other. Sucking people in and convincing them that their life is about to be changed by the latest statement from the President, or the newest piece of legislation in the house, is such a sad game we are playing.
our Government, our politics, and our people are sick.
something has to change.
Comment by Iggy Thursday, Dec 12, 19 @ 3:40 pm
Win at the ballot box.
I’m happy that this person is captured and charged, we can’t have democracy be threatened by bad elements thinking violence is acceptable.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Dec 12, 19 @ 3:40 pm
Y’all may be wrong about stuff from time to time, but the fact everyone is rational is an increasingly rare thing in discourse about government and politics today.
So thanks for that.
Comment by OneMan Thursday, Dec 12, 19 @ 3:55 pm
I remember awhile back there was a post here on Capfax about toning things down, right after the shooting that injured the Congressman. I am guessing he doesn’t read this blog. Maybe it is time for a gentle reminder about civility. Christmas is near, families are split over the political climate, it is time to have more civility. Our society is tearing itself apart.
Comment by FormerParatrooper Thursday, Dec 12, 19 @ 4:05 pm
A sad situation. True that these are contentious political times. However, this is not the way to respond! I feel sorry for the office staffers that are on the other end of the line. Anger management is needed on both sides. The man indicted will be evaluated for any mental health issues that contributed to his outburst. Any sentencing needs to take those results into consideration.
Comment by Nearly Normal Thursday, Dec 12, 19 @ 4:22 pm
FOID or no FOId. Go to his house and remove the guns. Find next of kin or whomever and give em to them.
Comment by Blue Dog Dem Thursday, Dec 12, 19 @ 4:29 pm
@Blue Dog Dem
This is a textbook case for the use of the new Red Flag Law in Illinois.
Comment by Nagidam Thursday, Dec 12, 19 @ 4:50 pm
Nag. Don’t need anymore laws. Dude will be found guilty of a felony. All we need is common sense and the will.
Comment by Blue Dog Dem Thursday, Dec 12, 19 @ 4:53 pm
Humans are gross, voguns had the right plan all along
Comment by Commisar Gritty Thursday, Dec 12, 19 @ 4:58 pm
@Blue
Until someone like that acts on the threat when a reasonable law could have temporarily removed weapons from the individual.
Comment by Nagidam Thursday, Dec 12, 19 @ 5:05 pm
==Mental health is important and shouldn’t be ignored.==
Anger by itself isn’t a sign of mental illness. Calling up a Congressman and threatening to shoot him might be.
Comment by Da Big Bad Wolf Thursday, Dec 12, 19 @ 5:18 pm
Mr. Tarr will join Greta Thunberg in anger management therapy.
Comment by My New Handle Thursday, Dec 12, 19 @ 5:28 pm
== Mr. Tarr will join Greta Thunberg in anger management therapy.==
A one way ticket to Sweden isn’t a bad idea.
Comment by Da Big Bad Wolf Thursday, Dec 12, 19 @ 5:32 pm
I just want to add my voice in unity. I probably disagree with everything Congressman Davis does but we all know this is NEVER OK, So actual thoughts and actual prayers to Congressman Davis and his family, and the suspect and his family. I hope that he finds the help he needs.
On a lighter note, all the money in my bank account and my right pinky that Davis doesn’t even utter the words “gun control” regarding this incident.
Comment by 2nd Ward Irishman Thursday, Dec 12, 19 @ 5:34 pm
No one deserves this.
Comment by Eire17 Thursday, Dec 12, 19 @ 6:15 pm
This happens too often. It may be a drunken dial or it may be some deranged kook. It’s serious enough to make sure everyone knows it’s a line you do not cross. Jail or heavy fine or both. Make the price of stupidity very high. No one should have to put up with this stuff. It scares the families beyond any imagination. Especially after it actually happened to Gabby. STOP IT.
Comment by A Guy Thursday, Dec 12, 19 @ 6:33 pm
We do know this wasn’t Hanna Meisel’s stalkerish caller since that one was at least smart enough to use a bogus number. That said, my heart goes out to Davis and his family. Regardless of whether this guy was just drunk or unbalanced or whatever, no family deserves to have this happen.
Comment by ArchPundit Thursday, Dec 12, 19 @ 7:18 pm
Certainly not okay and glad he was caught. The way you get back at Rodney(or any politician) is by actively supporting the person running against them.
Comment by Anon Thursday, Dec 12, 19 @ 7:37 pm
==On a lighter note, all the money in my bank account and my right pinky that Davis doesn’t even utter the words “gun control” regarding this incident.==
He used words. Ban words.
Comment by Token Conservative Thursday, Dec 12, 19 @ 11:00 pm
Any wonder why some really good people don’t put their name on a ballot ? jJeez ….to 99.9 % of the folks there is so little any single politician will ever do that will impact your life including the president the governor and certainly any congressman
Comment by NorthsideNoMore Friday, Dec 13, 19 @ 7:38 am
= On a lighter note, all the money in my bank account and my right pinky that Davis doesn’t even utter the words “gun control” regarding this incident. =
The news is reporting (albeit morning radio) the guy does not own guns, has never owned guns, and there are no guns in the house. You try to be sincere to Mr Davis and then you throw in your own useless political jab?
So, if I have issues in the future, save it for another please.
Comment by R A T Friday, Dec 13, 19 @ 8:31 am