Authorities have charged a man with intimidating and harassing a United States congressman after the man threatened the lives of Republican Indiana Rep. Jim Banks and his daughters.
“The safety of my family is my top priority,” Banks said in a statement. “I’ve been instructed to refer all questions about the ongoing criminal investigation to the Allen County Prosecutor’s Office.”
A probable cause filing obtained by the Indiana Capital Chronicle shows that Aaron L. Thompson of Fort Wayne, Indiana, had called Banks’ office and left threatening messages on a number of occasions. Thompson made one of these calls on April 6 and seven on April 11.
“Here’s the choice. Your daughters grow up without their dad or you grow old without your daughters,” Thompson threatened, according to the Indiana Capital Chronicle, emphasizing to Banks that he owned a gun.
“Boom, boom you pick,” he reportedly told the congressman.
Banks has three young daughters.
In expletive filled messages, Thompson also reportedly told Banks that he hoped he would die in a car crash or get “his brains blown out,” the publication reported.
Thompson admitted to the United States Capitol Police that he was intoxicated when he made the calls and was angry with Banks over the Republican congressman’s political views.
The United States Capitol Police did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
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