Russian-Ukrainian Hit Squad Threatened To Be Tapped To Kill Anna Paulina Luna [WATCH]

In an alarming case that sheds light on the dark underbelly of political rivalry, a former congressional candidate stands accused of making life-threatening remarks against his political adversary during a contentious election run.

William Braddock, a 41-year-old from St. Petersburg, Florida, faces charges for allegedly threatening to employ a “Russian-Ukrainian hit squad” to eliminate Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.), his opponent at the time.

These grave accusations stem from events dated June 8, 2021, when Braddock supposedly expressed his willingness to go to extreme lengths to ensure his victory in the race against Luna, among other candidates.

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An audio recording, as reported by Politico, captures Braddock labeling Luna as a “dead squirrel” and a mere “speed bump in the road,” showcasing the severity of his disapproval.

BREAKING: Opponent of Rep. Anna Paulina Luna was charged with threatening to hire hit squad to kill Rep. Paulina.

William Braddock, 41, of St. Petersburg, Fla. is accused of making the alleged threats on June 8, 2021 — including one where he threatened to “call up my… pic.twitter.com/YWCWofOFp7

— Dom Lucre | Breaker of Narratives (@dom_lucre) September 29, 2024

Following these threats, Braddock reportedly fled to the Philippines, sparking an international intrigue that ended with his extradition back to the United States.

Upon his return, he faced charges of interstate transmission of a true threat to injure another person, according to the Justice Department.

His subsequent court appearance took place in Los Angeles on Thursday, marking the beginning of his legal battles back on American soil.

The target of his alleged threats, Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, triumphed in the election and was sworn into Congress in January 2023 after a previous unsuccessful bid against former Florida Governor Charlie Crist during the 2020 cycle.

This development came despite Luna recently revealing that she had been the subject of a “very serious shooting threat,” demonstrating the dangerous environment some politicians navigate.

The recording that allegedly captures Braddock’s threat was made by a conservative activist.

In it, Braddock can be heard stating his reluctance but willingness to end a life for the “good of the people of the United States of America,” emphasizing the perceived necessity of such a drastic action.

Braddock, however, initially refuted these claims, suggesting the possibility of audio alteration.

His legal troubles have since escalated, with a judge approving a restraining order against him.

Braddock also withdrew from the political race, a move that preluded his current predicament facing a potential five-year prison sentence.

This indictment arrives amid a broader effort by federal prosecutors to address election-related threats and politically motivated violence as the nation approaches the 2024 election cycle.

It underscores the escalating tensions and extremes in American politics, highlighted by Luna’s own experiences with threats to her safety.

Luna’s disclosure of a recent shooting threat against her, coupled with recent assassination attempts on prominent political figures, magnifies the importance of addressing such threats with utmost seriousness.

My office has received a very serious shooting threat.

This division and hate campaign against Republicans is going to get someone killed. I will not be threatened, intimidated, or bow down to those using violence as a means to push their agenda. We will win.

America is the…

— Anna Paulina Luna (@realannapaulina) September 18, 2024

With Luna set to seek reelection for Florida’s 13th Congressional District and receiving significant attention, the incident emphasizes the urgent need for civility and security within the political sphere.

Read the full press release from the U.S. Department of Justice Office of Public Affairs:

Former Candidate for 13th Congressional District of Florida Charged for Election-Related Threat to Former Primary Candidate and Private Citizen

An indictment was unsealed yesterday charging a Florida man with threatening to kill his primary opponent in the 2021 election for the 13th Congressional District of Florida and a private citizen and acquaintance of his opponent.

According to the indictment, William Robert Braddock III, 41, of St. Petersburg, and Victim 1 were candidates in the primary election to represent the 13th Congressional District of Florida in the U.S. House of Representatives. Victim 2 was a private citizen and acquaintance of Victim 1. On June 8, 2021, Braddock made several threats to injure and kill Victim 1 and Victim 2 during a telephone call with Victim 2. Specifically, Braddock threatened, in part, to “call up my Russian-Ukrainian hit squad” and make Victim 1 disappear. After making the threats, Braddock left the United States and was later found to be residing in the Philippines. Braddock was recently deported from the Philippines to the United States and made his first court appearance yesterday in Los Angeles.

Braddock is charged with one count of interstate transmission of a true threat to injure another person. If convicted, Braddock faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, and U.S. Attorney Roger B. Handberg for the Middle District of Florida made the announcement.

The FBI Tampa Field Office is investigating the case with support from the St. Petersburg Police Department. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs, FBI’s Office of the Legal Attaché in Manila, and U.S. Marshals Service provided substantial assistance. The investigation also benefited from foreign law enforcement cooperation provided by the Philippine Department of Justice and Philippine Bureau of Immigration.

Trial Attorney Alexandre Dempsey of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section (PIN) and Assistant U.S. Attorney Carlton Gammons for the Middle District of Florida are prosecuting the case.

This case is part of the Justice Department’s Election Threats Task Force. Announced by Attorney General Merrick B. Garland and launched by Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco in June 2021, the task force has led the department’s efforts to address threats of violence against election workers, and to ensure that all election workers — whether elected, appointed, or volunteer — are able to do their jobs free from threats and intimidation. The task force engages with the election community and state and local law enforcement to assess allegations and reports of threats against election workers, and has investigated and prosecuted these matters where appropriate, in partnership with FBI Field Offices and U.S. Attorneys’ Offices throughout the country. Three years after its formation, the task force is continuing this work and supporting the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and FBI Field Offices nationwide as they carry on the critical work that the task force has begun.

Under the leadership of Deputy Attorney General Monaco, the task force is led by PIN and includes several other entities within the Justice Department, including the Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section, Civil Rights Division, National Security Division, and FBI, as well as key interagency partners, such as the Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Postal Inspection Service. For more information regarding the Justice Department’s efforts to combat threats against election workers, read the Deputy Attorney General’s memo.

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