Texas Man Receives Prison Sentence for Threatening Congresswoman Maxine Waters

In a significant legal outcome, a 61-year-old Texas resident, Brian Michael Gaherty, has been sentenced to 33 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to charges of threatening U.S. Representative Maxine Waters of California. The sentence, handed down by the Justice Department, also includes a $10,000 fine, underscoring the severity of Gaherty’s offenses.

Gaherty’s conviction stems from a series of menacing phone calls made to Waters’ office in August 2022. During these calls, Gaherty escalated his threats to include violent, racist, and misogynistic language. His threats were not only specific but also included the intent to assault and murder Representative Waters, leading to a formal hate crime enhancement by the presiding judge.

The investigation into Gaherty’s actions was led by the United States Capitol Police with the prosecution carried forward by Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura A. Alexander. This case marks a prominent instance of legal action taken against threats to public officials, highlighting the critical importance of protecting elected representatives from violence and harassment. Gaherty’s continued threatening behavior, despite previous warnings, played a key role in the legal proceedings, ultimately leading to his current sentence.