California Man Sentenced for Lying to Federal Agents

Abingdon, VIRGINIA – A California man, who made threats of violence against then-United States Congressman Tom Garrett, was sentenced yesterday in U.S. District Court in Abingdon to serve six months in federal prison, United States Attorney Thomas T. Cullen announced.

Eun Soo Lee, 24, of Cypress, California, previously pleaded guilty to a one-count, felony Information charging him with lying to a federal agent.

“Although the First Amendment protects an individual’s right to free speech, it does not license threats of harm or violence,” U.S. Attorney Cullen stated today.   “As this case illustrates, the Department of Justice will react swiftly and aggressively to unlawful threats made using social media or other communications platforms.” 

In May of 2017, Lee, using a fake Facebook account and virtual private network to hide his identity, made threats against then-Congressman Garrett.

Those threats included, but were not limited to:

“You’re dead if I ever meet you in real life, fu****.  I’ll fu***** kill you.”

When questioned by law enforcement, Lee denied having a Facebook account, denied ever using a fake Facebook account, and denied ever sending messages to then-Congressman Garrett. Notwithstanding Lee’s efforts to hide his identity, investigators traced the messages to Lee, who eventually admitted to sending the threats. 

The investigation of the case was conducted by the United States Capitol Police, with the assistance of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Orange County (CA) Sheriff’s Office.  Assistant United States Attorney Randy Ramseyer prosecuted the case for the United States.