Alden Welch Ruml, a 26-year-old Massachusetts resident, was arrested and charged on March 6 with transmitting a threat to injure another person through interstate commerce. Ruml is scheduled to make his initial appearance in federal court in Boston later the same day.
The case centers on an alleged incident from February 28, when Ruml reportedly sent an email to the victim containing obscene language and a statement that he would be “happy” when her face is “canoed by an assault rifle.”
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the charge carries a potential sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000. Sentencing decisions are made by a federal district court judge based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and relevant statutes.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation Boston Division, announced the arrest and charges. Assistant U.S. Attorney Chris Looney is prosecuting the case.
Officials emphasized that all details contained in charging documents are allegations at this stage. “The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law,” they said.