LI Man Pleads Guilty To Threatening LGBTQ+ Events Via Letters

CENTRAL ISLIP, NY — On Wednesday, a Bayport man accused of threatening the organizers of LGBTQ+ events and parades on Long Island and in New York City, pleaded guilty to mailing more than 20 letters with threats of violence. According to court filings, Robert Fehring, 74, sent threats from 2013 until 2021, describing plans for bombings, gun attacks and radio-controlled explosives at pride events.

Fehring appeared in federal court in Central Islip on Wednesday afternoon, according to the Department of Justice.

Fehring allegedly mailed threats to organizers of New York City's pride parade, those working on the Long Island parade in East Meadow and civic leaders in Sayville.

Fehring faces up to five years in prison for the crime.

“We have absolutely no tolerance for hate incidents of any kind here in Suffolk County and I hope that this guilty plea gives peace of mind to both the victims and the entire LGBTQ+ community,” SCPD Commissioner Harrison said in a statement from the justice department.

“Our department remains laser focused on holding individuals who carry out acts of hate accountable and I thank all of our law enforcement partners who helped bring quick closure to this case.”

In December, Patch reported that Fehring, a former teacher a Bellport High School, is also being sued in a civil sex abuse case by a former student.