A Maryland man who in September 2022 was federally charged with making an online threat to kill Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, on Thursday pleaded guilty, according to the Department of Justice.

Justin Kuchta, 39, of Annapolis, was charged with one count of interstate communication containing a threat to injure, a felony punishable by a maximum of five years in prison.

“You have the right to your own opinions, but not the right to threaten a federal official’s life,” said United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Erek L. Barron. “We’ll continue prosecuting these threats to the fullest extent of the law.” 

Cruz’s office on July 18, 2022, reported receiving a threatening message via an event management website.

The threat, which, according to the DOJ, was a response to a message about Cruz’s appearance at a rally in Missouri, reads, “Thank you for the address!!! I’m coming to murder all of you Satanist [expletive]!!! Especially the chuckle-[expletive] Zodiak [sic] Killer Cruz!! That [expletive] will be the first on the gallows!! SEE ALL OF YOU [expletive] REALLY SOON!!! With my fresh militia and weapons!!! Thanks for the info [expletive]!!!”  

Cruz’s office reported a similar message was received on July 22, 2022.

The Internet Protocol address used to send the message was registered to a private, high-speed network operated by the state of Maryland, according to a U.S. Capitol Police special agent’s affidavit. When agents interviewed Kuchta at his Annapolis workplace, he admitted to sending the threatening message while he was working from home on his government-issued computer, the affidavit says.

Sentencing is scheduled for April 27.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.