Man Faces Consequences After Shocking Threats to Government Employees

A New York man faces prison time for threatening to kill congressional staffers, highlighting the growing concern over threats to elected officials.

At a Glance

Ade Salim Lilly sentenced to 13 months in prison for threatening congressional staffers.
Lilly made over 12,000 harassing calls to congressional offices.
Threats against Congress members have increased by 400% over six years.
Sentencing includes three years of supervised release.

New York Man Sentenced for Threatening Congressional Staff

Ade Salim Lilly, a New York resident, has been sentenced to 13 months in prison for making threatening phone calls to members of Congress and threatening to kill a congressional staffer. The sentencing, which also includes three years of supervised release, comes as a stark reminder of the increasing threats faced by elected officials and their staff in recent years.

Lilly pleaded guilty to interstate communications with a threat to kidnap or injure and making repeated threatening phone calls. His campaign of harassment spanned from February 2022 to November 2023, during which he made over 12,000 calls to congressional offices from Maryland and Puerto Rico before his arrest in Puerto Rico in November 2023.

Alarming Increase in Threats Against Elected Officials

The case highlights a disturbing trend of increasing threats against elected officials. Capitol Police Chief J. Thomas Manger testified that threats against Congress members had increased by 400% over six years. This surge in threats has raised serious concerns about the safety of those serving in public office and their staff.

“We will enforce the law anytime someone crosses the line from free speech to harassment or threats.” U.S. Capitol Police Chief Thomas Manger said in a statement. “Our investigators worked to build this complicated case for years, which shows their dedication to protect the Members of Congress.”

Prosecutors sought an 18-month sentence for Lilly, citing the risk of normalizing such threats during the election cycle. The judge remarked on the severity of the problem before passing the sentence, mentioning recent violent attacks against politicians, including an attempted assassination of Donald Trump and the attack on Nancy Pelosi’s husband.

Details of Lilly’s Threatening Behavior

During his harassment campaign, Lilly used vulgar and harassing language and made specific threats. On October 21, 2022, he explicitly threatened to kill a staffer. In February 2023, he called one lawmaker’s office more than 500 times over just two days. Lilly attempted to contact 54 members of Congress, threatening to kill at least one staff member.

To conceal his identity, Lilly used “*67” to hide his phone number. Most of his interactions were with congressional staff or interns, who bore the brunt of his threatening behavior. During sentencing, Lilly claimed his intent was to benefit future generations, though his motive and ideology remain unclear.

Broader Implications for Political Discourse

This case is part of a larger pattern of threats against elected officials. Other recent incidents include a Virginia man charged with threatening Vice President Kamala Harris and a Florida man charged with threats against Donald Trump and Senator JD Vance. These cases underscore the need for vigilance in protecting those who serve in public office and their staff.

“This is an election year, and more and more often, criticism of a political position or viewpoint crosses the First Amendment line and leads to true threats of violence,” prosecutors wrote. “The pervasive rise in threats against elected officials creates a real risk that expressions of violence will become normalized.”

As the nation approaches another election cycle, law enforcement and judicial officials are emphasizing the importance of maintaining civil discourse and respecting the boundaries of free speech. The sentencing of Ade Salim Lilly serves as a clear message that threats against public servants will be taken seriously and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.