38-year-old Matthew Jordan Lindner of Comfort, Texas was arrested by the FBI Friday morning.
Lindner, the owner of Lindner Ammo, left a message in the voicemail of a doctor who works at the National LGBTQIA+ Health Education Centre, which is based in Boston.
You sick motherfuckers, you’re all gonna burn. There’s a group of people on their way to handle [victim]. You signed your own warrant, [victim]. Castrating our children. You’ve woken up enough people. And upset enough of us. And you signed your own ticket. Sleep well, you fucking, cunt.
Furthermore, Lindner called two phone numbers associated with a Rhode Island university where the doctor is a faculty member. These two calls, along with the call to the doctor, were made from the telephone of Lindner Ammo.
The US Department of Justice pledged to protect transgender rights, including health care providers who serve transgender patients.
"While everyone has a right to express their opinion, they don't have a right to use or threaten violence against individuals who do not share their same set of beliefs," Joseph R. Bonavolonta, special agent in charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Boston Division, said in a statement.
"The victim, a doctor caring for gender nonconforming and transgender patients, should be able to engage in this meaningful and necessary work without fear of physical harm or death," U.S. Attorney Rachael Rollins said in a statement. "And although the doctor is clearly a victim, Mr. Lindner's threat is rooted in a hatred of the LGBTQIA+ community and the families, friends and people that love and support them. They are victims, too."
Matthew Lindner is now charged with one count of transmitting interstate threats. He first appeared in court in the Western District of Texas Friday afternoon; there’s no word on whether Lindner is represented by an attorney. At a later time, he will make an appearance in federal court in Boston. If convicted, he could be sentenced to a maximum of 5 years in prison, in addition to 3 years of supervised release and a maximum fine of $250,000.