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A Charlotte, Michigan man is facing serious charges after allegedly making false bomb threats and threatening the life of Democratic state Representative Cynthia Johnson of Detroit in December 2020.
On Friday, Michael Varrone, 49, was arraigned on two counts of false report or threat of terrorism and a count of false report of a bomb threat. Varrone is currently out on bail but was ordered to stand trial on Thursday after receiving a preliminary examination in district court.
On December 12, 2020, Varrone allegedly called the Michigan House of Representatives six times and threatened Johnson and her family. The voicemail from Varrone stemmed from Johnson's comments days earlier, telling "Trumpers" to "stand down" after she continuously received death threats from Trump supporters.
"If there is one more threat by a Democratic person in Michigan that's supposed to represent me, I will personally come down there and take over that [expletive] building at the Capitol," Varrone said on the voicemail, according to an affidavit filed in the case. "If I'm threatened by another senator or anybody like Cynthia Johnson, I'll personally take care of that [expletive] and their whole [expletive] family."
On January 7, Varrone allegedly called the state Capitol in Michigan and demanded that everyone evacuate the building because the building was going to explode. The building ended up being closed temporarily before local authorities found that the bomb threat was false. Varrone's actions come a day after the U.S. Capitol insurrection by Trump supporters took place in Washington, D.C.
"The information from that call was passed along to the Michigan State Police, and we are all glad they used that information to help track the suspect down after the bomb threat," said Gideon D'Assandro, a spokesman for House Speaker-elect Jason Wentworth.
"Threats to our democracy must not be tolerated, and my office will work tirelessly to ensure the people who work and visit our Capitol can do so safely," said Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel after filing charges against Varrone in January.
"I am grateful this incident did not result in any serious injury or harm," Nessel continued. "However, I hope this incident and the disgraceful tragedy that occurred Wednesday at our nation's Capitol in Washington, D.C., can serve as reminders of the security measures we must work to maintain and improve to protect the sanctity of our democracy and the safety of our people."
Nessel also commented on Varrone's upcoming trial, reiterating that her office will not tolerate any forms of violent threats or hate, and "Mr. Varrone being bound over to stand trial on these charges affirms that commitment."
Newsweek has reached out to Representative Cynthia A. Johnson for further comments.
