A New York resident, Ade Salim Lilly, was handed down a sentence on Tuesday for perpetrating a campaign of harassment against members of Congress, including over 12,000 menacing phone calls and a threat to take the life of a congressional staffer.
Lilly, 35, had entered a guilty plea in May to charges of making repeated phone calls and interstate communications with the intent to kidnap or injure. During his court appearance, he expressed contrition, yet maintained that his actions were motivated by a desire to positively impact the future of the nation.
Lilly stated, “My sole intention was to secure a better future for the descendants of America’s founders, and to serve the interests of our youth, families, and future generations.” He vowed to explore alternative avenues for addressing the issues that concern him.
U.S. Capitol Police Chief Thomas Manger emphasized the importance of upholding the law when individuals cross the line from exercising free speech to engaging in harassment or making threats. He commended the investigators who worked tirelessly to build the complex case, demonstrating their unwavering commitment to protecting lawmakers.
In response to the growing number of threats against lawmakers, the Capitol Police recently hired specialized prosecutors in April to tackle this escalating issue.
