Sunday, October 4, 2026

U.S. citizen sentenced to 27 months in prison for threatening to kill journalists, Muslims, politicians

Between May and September 2025, the defendant made threats to kill or cause physical injury to at least fourteen victims.

• May 5, 2026
LEGISLATIVE GAVEL
LEGISLATIVE GAVEL[CREDIT: WALLPAPERS.COM]

An American, Peter Daniel Ring of Bell, Florida, has been sentenced to 27 months in prison for threatening to kill journalists, Muslims, and politicians. 

The sentencing of the 31-year-old defendant followed his previous guilty plea to sending multiple threatening interstate communications to kill or cause physical injuries.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office, in a statement on Tuesday, said the sentence was announced by the attorney for the Northern District of Florida, John P. Heekin.

Mr Heekin said: “With threats and acts of violence directed at public figures becoming alarmingly more frequent, my office is committed to aggressively prosecuting cases like this to send a clear message: we have zero tolerance for criminality in the Northern District of Florida. Threats of violence by deranged individuals can quickly lead to actual violence. Vigilant investigative work by our federal law enforcement partners and aggressive prosecutions can prevent tragedy from striking.”

According to court documents, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), in June 2025, received a complaint about a threat to kill a reporter, who was later identified as the source of the threat, but promised not to issue any more threats. 

“However, two months later, the FBI received another tip that the defendant was posting religiously and politically motivated threats of violence against Muslim people, members of the media, and prominent politicians. Between May and September 2025, the defendant made threats to kill or cause physical injury to at least fourteen victims,” the statement added.

The FBI Jacksonville Special Agent in Charge, Jason Carley, who stated that threats of violence are never taken lightly, noted that the defendant’s “actions caused fear and disruption, and the sentencing reflects the serious consequences of threatening to take innocent lives. The FBI will not tolerate individuals who use intimidation to terrorise our communities.”

The defendant’s conviction and sentencing followed an FBI investigation, which was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christie S. Utt.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office said the case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice against illegal immigration, eliminates cartels and transnational criminal organisations (TCOs), as well as protects communities against violent crime.

We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.

More from Peoples Gazette

Nigerian Bar Association

States

Independence: NBA urges Nigerians to expect better future

The NBA said that ordinary Nigerians should be deriving benefit from the subsidy removal rather than hardship.

farmers

Agriculture

FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology

The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices

Katsina State

Politics

Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku

“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”

Gombe House of Assembly

States

COREN approves Gombe assembly complex project

The development follows the council’s investigation into the collapse of the reinforced concrete entrance canopy.

Politics

2027: Atiku’s ex-aide urges Igbos, other non-indigenes in Ogun to support Tinubu’s reelection

Mr Sowunmi also urged voters in Ogun West, which he said had over 900,000 registered voters, to mobilise massively for Mr Tinubu.

Etsu Nupe, Yahaya Abubakar

NationWide

Etsu Nupe to champion cultural showcase at global PR forum

Mr Datti also urged young public relations practitioners to uphold ethical standards and responsible communication in their workplaces.

World

Tennessee’s prison chief resigns after botched execution of teen killer, Christa Pike

While describing the resignation as “justified”, Ms Pike’s legal team said the decision has no impact on their client’s health.

States

Niger govt re-seals clinic over failure to meet health standards

The agency said the action followed an inspection that found the facility failed to meet the minimum standards required for operation.

Governor Nasir Idris

States

Kebbi Attacks: Gov. Idris vows stronger security, donates N200 million to victims

Mr Idris said the killing of citizens would not be tolerated by either the state or the federal government.