Southwest
Texas man convicted of threatening to kill Rep Maxine Waters gets nearly 3 years in prison
A Texas man received a nearly three-year-long jail sentence after his criminal conviction for leaving threatening and racist voicemails for California Democratic Rep. Maxine Waters.
United States District Judge R. Gary Klausner sentenced Brian Michael Gaherty, 61, of Houston, to 33 months in federal prison and fined him $10,000. The judge found that Gaherty targeted Waters because of her race and added a hate-crime enhancement to his sentence, the Department of Justice said in a news release.
“Threats to harm or kill elected officials are anathema to our nation’s values and must not — and will not — be tolerated,” said United States Attorney Martin Estrada. “My office and the entire Department of Justice will continue to combat threats against public officials and other attempts to chill democracy.”
Gaherty pleaded guilty on Jan. 29 to one count of threatening a United States official.
TEXAS MAN ACCUSED OF THREATENING TO KILL REP. MAXINE WATERS IN RACIST VOICEMAILS
Representative Maxine Waters, a Democrat from California and ranking member of the House Financial Services Committee, during a hearing in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, June 12, 2024. (Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
In his plea agreement, Gaherty admitted to threatening to assault and murder Waters on four separate occasions in August and November 2022. The threats were made in four voicemails left at Waters’ district office in Los Angeles County, which all contained profanity and racist language.
According to an affidavit given by U.S. Capitol Police agent Michael Guest, Gaherty went on a series of racist tirades against the California congresswoman, at one point saying, “Hey, you black b—-. You f— with my people man. All that racism s— b—-, you up in age, 80 years old and s—, trying to remember 1960 and all that bulls—. And causing controversy b—-. We got something for your ass now b—-, you black motherf—–. Yeah, we coming for you bro.”
In August 2022, he threatened to “put a cap” between the lawmaker’s “eyes,” “cut [her] throat,” and “stomp” her. Gaherty also warned that she “better move” because he and his “boys in the area” had a “contract” on her life.”
Gaherty also left threatening messages with Waters’ staff, according to the criminal complaint.
‘CORRUPT CRIMINAL’: MAXINE WATERS RECEIVES BACKLASH OVER VITRIOLIC RESPONSE TO TRUMP’S GUILTY VERDICT
President Biden is welcomed by Rep. Maxine Waters, center, and Mayor Karen Bass to Los Angeles after arriving on Air Force One at Los Angeles International Airport on Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2024. (Sarah Reingewirtz/MediaNews Group/Los Angeles Daily News via Getty Images)
“Tell Congresswoman Maxine Waters when I see her on the street I’m going to bust her upside her head,” Gaherty told a staffer. “F—, who this is, tell that lying b—- I’m looking for her.”
Gaherty did not conceal his phone number, allowing U.S. Capitol Police to easily trace the source of the calls via data from T-Mobile and TracFone.
Authorities contacted Gaherty and warned him to stop in October 2022, but he persisted in making violent threats. In a November 2022 voicemail, Gaherty told the congresswoman she “done [expletive] up” by reporting his threats to law enforcement.
REP. MAXINE WATERS: TRUMP SUPPORTERS ‘TRAINING UP IN THE HILLS’ FOR ELECTION ATTACK
Representative Maxine Waters, a Democrat from California and ranking member of the House Financial Services Committee, left, and Representative Patrick McHenry, a Republican from North Carolina and chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, right, prior to a hearing in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, May 15, 2024. (Graeme Sloan/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
“You better watch your back,” he told her, according to investigators.
Waters appeared in federal court on Monday and told Judge Klausner that her family members live “in fear every day” because of the threats made by Gaherty, the Los Angeles Times reported.
“This growing effort to target people of color and women of color … has given me nightmares. I am in fear of my life,” Waters said.
“I believe that we must all be held accountable. Nobody is above the law.”
Joe Vinas, Gaherty’s defense attorney, said, “Mr. Gaherty was himself the victim of a horribly violent crime in 2016 and suffers from an extreme, chronic case of PTSD. Before he was shot and robbed at his own home, he led an exemplary life. Had he not been a crime victim himself, this case never would have happened.”
“Congresswoman Waters was present in court Monday and Mr. Gaherty extended a sincere and heartfelt apology to her,” Vinas continued. “Because of his mental health condition, that includes but is not limited to his PTSD, he did not remember making the comments to her. However, he now realizes he did and is incredibly remorseful.”
Fox News’ Timothy H.J. Nerozzi contributed to this report.
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Los Angeles, Ca
Man shot and killed during child custody exchange in Covina
A man was shot and killed during a child custody exchange in Covina.
On June 9, Covina police were called to a parking lot outside Home Depot at 963 W. Badillo St. just after 6 p.m.
Several people had gathered at the location to facilitate a child custody exchange. During the meeting, as an argument erupted between two men, things escalated.
One of the men pulled out a gun and shot the other man, police said. Officers were called to the scene and, despite lifesaving efforts, the victim was pronounced dead.
The suspect was taken into custody shortly after. Footage from the scene showed the parking lot was cordoned off as officers investigated the area and spoke to the other adults involved in the child custody exchange.
No further details, including the suspect’s or victims’ identities, were released.
Anyone with information on the case is asked to call the Covina Police Department at 626-384-5622.
Los Angeles, Ca
Los Angeles High School locked down as police search for armed juvenile
Los Angeles High School was placed on lockdown Wednesday morning as police searched for three juveniles, including one believed to be armed with a handgun.
Officers responded to the area of Olympic and West boulevards around 8:15 a.m. following a report of an assault with a deadly weapon involving four minors.
One of the minors involved in the assault was believed to be armed with a handgun, Los Angeles Police Department Officer Miller confirmed to KTLA.
Los Angeles High School was placed on lockdown as police responded to the incident.
One suspect was taken into custody, but Miller said police are still searching for the three remaining juveniles and the handgun.
A perimeter has been set up around the school as officers search for the remaining suspects.
“Today, the school initiated a lockdown as we received reports of a possible weapon on campus,” a Los Angeles Unified School District spokesperson said. “We took immediate action, including notifying the Los Angeles School Police Department and Region West Operations for further investigation. The Los Angeles School Police Department and the Los Angeles Police Department are conducting a search of the campus for weapons. We will provide additional information once it is available.”
No information was provided about the assault victim or any injuries sustained in the incident.
Check back for updates on this developing story.
Los Angeles, Ca
O.C. Uber customer says driver asleep in Tesla on 405 Freeway
An Orange County rideshare customer captured cellphone footage of his Uber driver seemingly asleep behind the wheel of a Tesla traveling along the 405 Freeway earlier this year.
The incident, according to the customer who reached out to KTLA, occurred March 24 while he was on a ride to Costa Mesa just before 7:30 p.m.
In the footage, the driver, wearing a coat and tie, is seen with his head resting against the headrest while remaining completely still, even as the customer moves closer with the camera.
Toward the end of the video, one of the driver’s hands appears to rest near his waist rather than on the steering wheel.
The customer told KTLA he filed a complaint with Uber but was informed he would not be able to find out whether any action was taken regarding the incident. He also said he contacted the Orange County Sheriff’s Department, which reportedly declined to accept the video evidence and told him deputies would have needed to witness the driver asleep themselves.
Videos of Tesla drivers appearing to be asleep have become increasingly common.
More recently, footage of an apparently napping Tesla driver on the 5 Freeway was captured by witnesses in southbound lanes near Camp Pendleton.
As far back as February 2023, video obtained by KTLA showed two separate drivers appearing to be asleep behind the wheel in the span of a week, one in Los Angeles and the other in Temecula.
KTLA’s San Francisco sister station, KRON, also obtained footage of an East Bay driver apparently asleep behind the wheel of a Tesla Model 3 on Highway 4 in March.
According to Tesla’s guidelines, drivers using the vehicle’s Full Self-Driving mode are required to remain attentive and ready to take control of the car at any moment.
In past incidents, the California Highway Patrol has told KTLA that drivers must be awake, conscious and sober to legally operate a moving vehicle.
The electric vehicle maker has been at the center of numerous controversies but remains the top-selling brand in California for the fourth year in a row. Tesla’s Model Y far outsold any other new vehicle in the state in 2025.
KTLA has reached out to Uber about the March 24 incident and is awaiting a response.
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