A Newport News man was sentenced Thursday to 41 months in prison for making more than 60 threats to murder, rape, torture, and otherwise harm state and federal elected officials, including numerous members of Congress and a former president of the United States.
According to court documents, Steve Cochran, 43, repeatedly threatened to murder, kidnap, torture, and/or rape elected officials and their loved ones. The threats were often highly graphic, expressed in unconditional language, and intended to influence the recipient to change his or her political views.
Cochran threatened to shoot a U.S. senator. Cochran added that this was “not a threat” – it was a “guarantee.” He also threatened a governor repeatedly that he would not “live past August” and his “wife and kids are in imminent danger.”
Cochran is a two-time convicted felon. He has prior felony convictions for unauthorized use of a motor vehicle and burglary with intent to commit larceny. Cochran also has an assault conviction stemming from repeated threats to kill his spouse.
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Chris Graham
