Man accused of threatening Rep. Goodlatte on Twitter ordered to inpatient program
Christopher Michael McGowan, 38, has been charged in a criminal complaint with one count of making a threatening communication through interstate commerce (Roanoke City Jail)
ROANOKE, Va. (WSET) -- A man arrested for threatening Rep. Bob Goodlatte on Twitter is getting out of jail on several different conditions.
Christopher Michael McGowan, 38, has been charged in a criminal complaint with one count of making a threatening communication through interstate commerce.
According to the criminal complaint and affidavit, on or about December 17, 2017, McGowan allegedly tweeted to Goodlatte a series of threatening messages.
@LittleMacMcG: I will do this in full belief I am defending the constitution of the United States. I am not making a joke. I will kill him. Should you believe my doing so would be illegal please arrest me so we can have this discussion in court BEFORE I actually do it. Thank you.
On December 18, 2017, the Botetourt County Sheriff's Office went to his home.
While speaking to him, they said McGowan admitted to sending the tweets the previous day but said he didn't own firearms and did not have any intention of hurting Goodlatte or anyone else.
McGowan is on 100% disability based on PTSD from serving in the military.
At his hearing on Wednesday, April 11, McGowan's attorney said he was blackout drunk while tweeting and after the sheriff's office visited his home in December, he got sober. But, he started drinking again in April.
On April 1, 2018, McGowan tweeted more threats to Goodlatte:
@LittleMacMcG: "I’m serious, @BobGoodlatte6 you keep f**king with our constitution and challenging Mueller and the last you see will be my patriot ass behind a gun you should have long ago have prevented me owning pulling a trigger to your head (SIC). Want me arrested
@LittleMacMcG: "#1 threatened my congressman with violence #2 stated I would kill people. #3: pretty much declared I would commit a plethora of anti-social behavior, publicly. Whom would like to bet I can purchase a gun three days from now and NOT be locked up in jail? #proudtobeanAmerican.
@LittleMacMcG: "Corruption happens on so many levels and in so many waysbut YOU have truly taken it to an extreme. History will hate you even more than I do. You better get on those gun laws. I am buying one intended for you in 3 days. Can you legally stop me?"
McGowan was arrested Friday morning on April 6.
At his hearing on Wednesday, the judge granted him bond at $250,000 with several restrictions, including he has to go to the VA when he gets out of jail Thursday morning and register for a 28-day inpatient substance abuse program.
After the inpatient program, McGowan will also not be allowed to drink, get on social media, use drugs, or have any contact with Rep. Goodlatte or his staffers by any means.
The judge also said McGowan's wife will be responsible for him.
