Ex-congressional candidate gets 3 years for threatening to have opponent killed

Tampa, Fla. — A erstwhile Florida Republican legislature campaigner accused of stalking and plotting to person his superior hostile murdered by a purported overseas deed squad was sentenced Wednesday to 3 years successful national prison.

William Robert Braddock III, 41, of St. Petersburg, was sentenced successful Tampa national court, according to tribunal records. He pleaded blameworthy successful February to sending an interstate transmission of a menace to injure.

In 2021, Braddock and U.S. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna were some candidates successful the superior predetermination to correspond the 13th Congressional District of Florida successful the U.S. House of Representatives. Luna yet won the superior and aboriginal the wide election. She was re-elected past year.

Anna Paulina Luna and William Braddock during a tribunal proceeding successful June 2021 successful Clearwater, Fla. Chris Urso / Tampa Bay Times via AP

Braddock spent months disparaging Luna and attempting to inject himself into her life, investigators said.

During a June 2021 telephone telephone with Luna's friend, GOP activistic Erin Olszewski, Braddock threatened to person Luna murdered by a "Russian-Ukrainian deed squad" if she continued to canvass good successful the contention for the 13th District.

Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., speaking successful beforehand a House Committee connected Oversight and Accountability proceeding connected Capitol Hill connected Nov. 19, 2024. Ben Curtis / AP

Politico reported at the clip that Braddock said the deed squad could termination Luna wrong 24 hours.

"Luna's going to spell down and I anticipation it's by herself," Braddock says successful the recording, according to Politico, which said it had obtained the recording. "For the amended oregon the bully of the bulk of the people, we've got to sacrifice the few."

According to Politico, Braddock described the "hit squad" arsenic being equipped for "close-battle combat" to marque definite thing was near to chance. 

There was nary grounds that Braddock, a erstwhile Marine, had specified contacts successful overseas organized transgression oregon took immoderate steps to transportation retired a execution plot.

Later that year, Braddock flew to Thailand and yet settled successful the Philippines, officials said. He remained determination until surrendering to authorities successful Manila successful 2023. He was taken backmost to the U.S. past autumn to look trial.