California Man Pleads Guilty To Interstate Transmission Of Threats Against Local United States Congressman

PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – Eugene Huelsman, 59, of Thousand Oaks, California, pled guilty today to one count of transmission of a threat in interstate commerce. The plea was announced by Jason R. Coody, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

During the plea hearing, Huelsman admitted that, on January 9, 2021, he telephoned United States Congressman Matthew Gaetz’s congressional district office in Pensacola. When no one answered, Huelsman left a profanity laced voicemail threatening to kill Congressman Gaetz.  This included threatening to “put a bullet in” Congressman Gaetz and members of his family.

The United States Capitol Police were contacted when the threat was made, which triggered security protocols related to the victim. The investigation revealed this was not the first time Huelsman made threats involving political figures. Huelsman had previously been investigated for threatening a member of a former President’s family via social media.   

Sentencing is currently set for June 30, 2022, at 1:00 p.m., at the United States Courthouse in Pensacola before the Honorable United States District Judge T.K. Wetherell, II. Huelsman faces up to five years’ imprisonment and a $250,000 fine.    

The case was investigated by the United States Capitol Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys David L. Goldberg and Lazaro P. Fields.   

The United States Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.