57-Year-Old Tampa Man Found Guilty of Threats to Plant Bomb in Member of U.S. House of Reps' Office

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A 57-year-old Tampa man has been found guilty on federal charges following a vulgar voicemail threatening to destroy a building using an explosive device, a press release from the U.S. Attorney's Office of the Middle District of Florida states.

According to court documents, on May 1, 2024, Albizar Martinez called the Tampa district office of a member of the United States House of Representatives and left a racist and expletive-ridden voicemail, ultimately threatening to plant a bomb in the United States House of Representatives District Office.

“I’m going to plant a bomb in your office. It’s a threat,” said Martinez in the voicemail transcript translated from Spanish. “It’s a threat, so take it however you want you son of a fuc**** bit**.”

The criminal complaint from the Department of Justice states that Martinez followed up his threat with additional derogatory remarks. “You Democrat sons of bit****,” “pro-Palestinians” and “those fuc**** black sons of bit**** … all those Black Lives Matter, all those black people,”

Federal agents were able to easily trace the threatening call back to Martinez, as he had left his phone number in the voicemail. Caller ID from the Representatives' Office also confirmed that the number matched that of what was left in the voicemail.

Martinez reportedly openly admitted to leaving the message and making threats when questioned by federal agents. Investigators attest that Martinez showed no remorse, even indicating that he would "like to go to court with the victim."

It turns out that this is not Martinez's first brush with federal law enforcement. Back in 2021, the 57-year-old admitted to leaving a similar voicemail for another U.S. congressmember, warning them of a package that would be coming to their mailbox.

Attorney Roger B. Handberg announced that the federal jury has found Rigoberto Albizar Martinez guilty of threatening to destroy a building using an explosive, and faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison. As of publication, a sentencing date has yet to be set.

This case was investigated by the United States Capitol Police — Threat Assessment Section. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Karyna Valdes and Special Assistant United States Attorney Joe Wheeler III.

Article by Rachael Volpe