Thomas Austria Crouse allegedly called the personal phone number of a staff member for the president.
AUSTIN, Texas — A man from Austin was arrested on Wednesday after allegedly threatening a presidential staff member, according to the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Texas.
Court documents revealed to the US Attorney’s Office from the Department of Justice (DOJ) state that on the night of Aug. 25, Thomas Austria Crouse allegedly called the personal phone of a staff member for the President of the United States.
The United States Attorney’s Office said when the call went to voicemail, Crouse then reportedly left a recording in which he allegedly threatened to find the administration official and kill their family.
Given the nature of the call and Crouse reportedly referencing the victim’s job, the call was then reported to the FBI.
Upon further investigation, the criminal complaint alleges that the call came from Austin, Tex. and Crouse was identified by officials as the person who made the call.
During an Aug. 26 interview with the FBI, agents allegedly urged Crouse to stop making direct threats, according to the complaint.
Following the interview, Crouse allegedly left five other voicemails on the administration official’s phone telling the victim to commit suicide.
Crouse was later arrested on Aug. 27 for allegedly transmitting an interstate communication containing a threat to injure the person of another.
If convicted, Crouse faces up to five years in prison.
The case remains under investigation by the FBI, U.S. Secret Service and Washington, D.C. Capitol Police.