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Virginia: Man who threatened Harris, Obama likely to be released ahead of trial

Crystal Graham
Gettr app on cell phone
(© Tada Images – stock.adobe.com)

A Virginia man who threatened Vice President Kamala Harris and former president Barack Obama may be released from custody before the election.

Frank Lucio Carillo, 66, was indicted by a federal grand jury in Charlottesville for making thousands of posts on the social media platform GETTR threatening to kill, harm or kidnap Harris and Obama.

Carillo was granted an emergency motion for bond on Monday and granted a $25,000 unsecured bond, according to NBC29. It is unknown if he remains in custody although an unsecured bond does not require the suspect to pay the sum in full or part. However, if the suspect does not follow conditions of their bail, they can be required to pay the money.

Conditions could include custodianship by a third party, restrictions on internet and social media and an ankle monitor.

Carillo’s attorney, Andrea Harris, an assistant federal public defender in the Charlottesville office, said Carillo has heart disease and was admitted to the University of Virginia Medical Center on Sept. 16, according to a report by NBC29.

Carillo has been charged with 14 counts including:

  • five counts of making threats against Harris
  • five counts of interstate communications with a threat to kidnap or injure Harris
  • two counts of making threats against Obama
  • two counts of interstate communications with a threat to kidnap or injure Obama

Carillo was arrested and made his initial court appearance on Aug. 5 in the U.S. District Court in Roanoke.

Authorities at the FBI Richmond executed a search warrant at his Winchester home on Aug. 2. Police seized a 9 mm pistol, an AR-15 rifle and thousands of rounds of ammunition.

Carillo’s violent posts said he “would light Harris on fire” and “personally pluck out her eyes.” In another post, he said of Harris, “I will cut your eyes out of your F***ING head” and “will make sure you suffer a slow agonizing death.” He also threatened to “kill everyone that gets in my way that is a f***ing promise.”

GETTR is a conservative blogging site founded by Jason Miller, a former Donald Trump aide.

Carillo is scheduled for a three-day trial in Harrisonburg running Oct. 30 to Nov. 1.

AFP has reached out to Harris to find out if Carillo remains in custody at the Albemarle Charlottesville Regional Jail.


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Crystal Graham

Crystal Graham

Crystal Abbe Graham is a reporter and ad manager for Augusta Free Press. A 1999 graduate of Virginia Tech, she has worked for 25 years as a reporter and editor for several Virginia publications, written a book, and garnered more than a dozen Virginia Press Association awards for writing and graphic design. She was the co-host of "Viewpoints," a weekly TV news show, and co-host of "Virginia Tonight," a nightly TV news show, both broadcast on PBS. Her work on "Virginia Tonight" earned her a national Telly award for excellence in television. You can reach her at [email protected]