Michigan Man Arrested for Threatening to Kill FBI Director Kash Patel
Anthony Daniel Palazzolo sent a Facebook message on October 8 threatening to put a hit out on an unidentified associate of FBI Director Kash Patel and declaring that Patel was a “dead mf too,” according to federal prosecutors in Michigan.
Arrest and Federal Charges in Michigan
Palazzolo, 42, of Chesterfield Township, was arrested Friday and charged with interstate communications involving threats, court records show. US Attorney Jerome F. Gorgon Jr.’s office announced the arrest following an investigation by the FBI. According to a criminal complaint filed by FBI Special Agent Brian Koczenasz, investigators traced Palazzolo to his residential address about 30 miles north of Detroit using his Facebook and TikTok accounts. He appeared in federal court in Michigan on Friday before Magistrate Judge David R. Grand, who ordered him temporarily detained ahead of a detention hearing.
The criminal complaint does not identify Patel’s associate, though prosecutors included screenshots of redacted messages in court documents. In the messages, Palazzolo referred to himself as “Baby Bird,” according to the criminal complaint. Prosecutors with the US Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan stated that the charge carries a maximum sentence of five years in federal prison upon conviction.
Escalating Threats After Initial FBI Interview
Federal agents went to Palazzolo’s home on October 9 to question him about the messages. According to the complaint, Palazzolo wanted to discuss his belief that the government was violating his property rights. He admitted to sending the messages, apologized, and claimed he had no intent to harm anyone. He also told investigators he had previously contacted several federal agencies to complain about what he perceived as an insufficient response to his concerns.
Before leaving the residence, an FBI Task Force officer provided Palazzolo with a direct cellphone number and government email address. On October 12, Palazzolo used those contact details to send emails containing threats of sexual violence to the officer, a district court in Texas, the Secret Service, and the Supreme Court, according to the complaint. The following day, he left two voicemails threatening to use deadly force on federal officials.
Palazzolo’s family described him as troubled and asserted he was likely off his medication during the incidents, noting that he had previously made empty threats targeting President Donald Trump. Prosecutors noted that Palazzolo has an extensive criminal history across Michigan, Texas, and Florida, including a 2018 charge for making a bomb threat and a false report of a terrorist attack.
Prior Threats and Legal Precedents Involving the FBI Director
Palazzolo’s arrest marks the second federal case this year involving threats directed at Patel or his immediate circle. In March, federal authorities arrested 26-year-old Alden Welch Ruml of Massachusetts after he allegedly sent threatening emails to Patel’s fiancée, Alexis Wilkins, the previous month. Ruml was charged with making threats in interstate commerce, pleaded not guilty, and faces a jury trial scheduled for February in court records.
A Michigan man was arrested Friday and charged with making threats against FBI Director Kash Patel, federal prosecutors announced. https://t.co/vmnWDMqiOh
Representatives for the US Attorney’s Office and the defense attorney appointed to represent Palazzolo did not immediately respond to requests for comment regarding the current case. Palazzolo is scheduled to appear in federal court for a detention hearing.