Philadelphia Man Pleads Guilty in Threat Case

PHILADELPHIA—Jesse Keel, 44, of Philadelphia, pleaded guilty today to a one-count information charging him with intimidating and interfering with a staff member in the office of United States Congresswoman Allyson Y. Schwartz while the staff member was engaged in the performance of his official duties, announced United States Attorney Zane David Memeger. In August of 2010, Keel telephoned Congresswoman Schwartz’s Frankford Avenue office in Philadelphia and spoke with a staff member. During the conversation, Keel stated that he had a problem and needed help, that he was not far away, was an ex-Marine, and could jump on the bus with a rifle, stand on the roof across the street from the congressional office, and shoot either the staff member with whom he was speaking or everyone in the office.

Magistrate Judge Timothy Rice accepted the plea and scheduled sentencing for May 23, 2011. Keel faces a maximum possible sentence of one year of imprisonment, one year supervised release, and a $100,000 fine.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Robert K. Reed.