A judge Wednesday sentenced a Texas man to six months in prison for threatening an Asian American doctor because of his pro-vaccination stance.
Fox29 reports that court documents accuse Scott Eli Harris, 52, of Aubrey, Texas of leaving a threatening message on the phone of doctor who had been outspoken about his support of getting the anti-COVID vaccines.
“Never going to take your wonder drug. My 12 gauge promises I won’t .… I can’t wait for the shooting to start,” he said on the message.
CBS News reports the terms of the sentence are part of a plea bargain in which Harris pled guilty.
“Threats of violence, especially those driven by racial animus and misguided beliefs concerning the COVID-19 pandemic will not be tolerated,” said Assistant Attorney General Clarke in a statement. “Members of our Asian American Pacific Islander communities should never have to live in fear of violence because of their race or national origin.”
“Today’s sentence should serve as a warning to those who threaten or take violent action based on belief or ideology and breaks the law, that the FBI will enforce the rule of law,” said Special Agent in Charge, Thomas J. Sobocinski.
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