Man Pleads Guilty To Threatening To Kill Boston Globe Workers

BOSTON – A California man pleaded guilty Wednesday in federal court in Boston in connection with making more than dozen threatening calls to The Boston Globe and threatening to shoot employees in the head after the news organization spearheaded a nationwide editorial response against President Donald Trump's assault on the media

Robert D. Chain, 68, of Encino, California, pleaded guilty to seven counts of making threatening communications in interstate commerce, according to U.S. Attorney Andrew Lelling and Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Boston Joseph Bonavolonta.

On Aug. 10, last year the Globe called on other publications to write editorials denouncing Trump's "sustained assault on the free press." On Aug. 16, more than 350 editorials ran across the country.

According to court documents, Chain started making threatening calls to the Globe's newsroom immediately after the Aug. 10 rallying cry. Police said Chain called the Globe "the enemy of the people" and threatened to kill employees during some 14 calls between Aug. 10 and 22

During one call on Aug. 16, the day the editorials were published, Chain allegedly called and said he would shoot Globe employees in the head "later today, at 4 o'clock." That call prompted increased security at the Globe.

Chain faces up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.

U.S. District Court Judge William G. Young scheduled sentencing for Sept. 23.

Previously:

Man Threatened To Kill Boston Globe Workers After Editorial

Patch reporter Jenna Fisher can be reached at Jenna.Fisher@patch.com or by calling 617-942-0474. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram (@ReporterJenna).