MD Reserve Police Officer Threatened To Kill GOP Congresswoman: DOJ

EDGEWATER, MD — A reserve police officer for the Anne Arundel County Police Department is no longer with the program after he was accused of threatening to kill controversial Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, a Republican from Georgia.

Seth Jason, 64, of Edgewater was arrested by U.S. Capitol Police and the Anne Arundel Police Department early Thursday and made his initial appearance before a magistrate judge in U.S. District Court, a news release from the U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Columbia.

A spokesman for the Anne Arundel Police department confirmed to Patch that Jason was no longer associated with the agency because of the accusations he faces. As a reserve officer Jason helped with crowd control at events, or routine tasks at the police station. He was a volunteer since 2016; in that role he was unarmed and had no police authority.

Jason was arrested by the United States Capitol Police and charged with threatening a federal official and related offenses.

An indictment unsealed Thursday charged Jason with influencing a federal official by threatening a family member, influencing a federal official by threat, interstate communications with a threat to kidnap or injure, and anonymous telecommunications harassment.

According to the indictment, between Oct. 11, 2023, and Jan. 21, 2025, Jason made threatening calls to the Dalton and Rome District Offices for Rep. Greene. The phone calls were made from multiple phone lines connected to studios and control rooms at Voice of America headquarters in Washington, D.C., where Jason had worked, according to U.S. Capitol Police.

In eight calls made over 15 months, Jason threatened to fatally shoot Rep. Greene, her staff, and their families.

A lawyer for Jason did not immediately respond to an email from the Associated Press seeking comment.

The maximum penalty for influencing a federal official by threatening a family member and influencing a federal official by threat is ten years imprisonment. The maximum penalty for interstate communications with a threat to kidnap or injure is five years imprisonment. The maximum penalty for anonymous telecommunications harassment is two years imprisonment.

“No one should have to live their life looking over their shoulder every day and wondering if those threats are about to be fulfilled and about to come true,” acting U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro said at a news conference.

Pirro read aloud some of the statements that Jason is accused of making during the calls to Greene's offices.

“I am looking forward to your book signing. We are all armed and ready to take care of you,” Jason said, according to Pirro.

Threats against members of Congress and other public officials have surged as the nation's political landscape has become increasingly divisive.

During the news conference, Capitol Police Chief Michael Sullivan alluded to the June 14 shootings in Minnesota by a man charged with killing the Democratic leader in the state House and her husband after wounding another lawmaker and his wife.

“This has got to stop,” Sullivan said. “This has changed since Minnesota. We are going to work very, very hard to hold you accountable if you make these threats.”

The Associated Press contributed reporting.

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