Man Who Threatened United States Senator Sentenced to Four Months Imprisonment

SAN FRANCISCO—Tras Gustav Karlsson Berg was sentenced last week to four months in prison for threatening to shoot a sitting United States Senator, United States Attorney Melinda Haag announced.

Berg pleaded guilty on April 13, 2011, to violating 18 U.S.C. § 115(a)(1)(B). According to the plea agreement, Berg admitted to sending an e-mail on Feb. 24, 2011, threatening to shoot the United States Senator with a high powered rifle and threatening to bomb the Senator’s house with poison gas if the Senator did not oppose legislation pending before Congress that would decrease protections afforded by the Endangered Species Act.

Berg, 35, of Marin County, was arrested on March 7, 2011, and charged by Complaint on March 8, 2011. An Information was filed on April 8, 2011. Berg was charged with threatening to assault and murder a United States Senator with the intent to impede, intimidate and interfere with the Senator while the Senator was engaged in the performance of official duties. The investigation began when the office of the Senator reported to the FBI that an e-mail had been received containing threats to the Senator’s life.

The sentence was handed down on July 6 by U.S. District Court Judge Maxine M. Chesney following the defendant’s guilty plea to 18 U.S.C. § 115(a)(1)(B). Judge Chesney also sentenced the defendant to a three year period of supervised release.

Gregg Lowder is the Assistant U.S. Attorney who prosecuted the case with the assistance of Rosario Calderon. The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the FBI.