Former primary opponent of Rep. Anna Paulina Luna charged with threatening to send ‘Russian-Ukrainian hit squad’ to kill her
The Justice Department has charged William Robert Braddock III, a former primary opponent of Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., with threatening to send a “Russian-Ukrainian hit squad” to kill his political rival. Braddock, 41, of St. Petersburg, Florida, was charged with threatening to kill Luna and a private citizen and acquaintance of Luna, according to the Justice Department.
The indictment, unsealed in the Middle District of Florida, describes the targeted individuals as “Victim 1” and “Victim 2.” Prosecutors allege that on June 8, 2021, Braddock made several threats to injure and kill Luna during a phone call with the second victim, stating that he would “call up my Russian-Ukrainian hit squad” to make Luna disappear. Braddock then left the United States and was later found to be residing in the Philippines.
Braddock was recently deported from the Philippines to the United States and made his first court appearance in Los Angeles. Luna, an Air Force veteran and former media consultant, was not named in the indictment. However, Luna contended in 2021 civil court documents that Braddock was stalking her and wanted her dead. A judge granted Luna and a conservative activist, Erin Olszewski, a temporary restraining order against Braddock. Braddock subsequently dropped out of the race, denying the allegations and citing publicity from the case.
In court proceedings, Luna testified that she had only brief in-person contact with Braddock at a political event but heard from acquaintances that he was allegedly making threats to have her killed. Olszewski testified that she secretly recorded a phone call with Braddock in which he claimed a “Russian and Ukrainian hit squad” could kill Luna within 24 hours.
Braddock is charged with one count of interstate transmission of a true threat to injure another person and faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison if convicted. The case was brought in relation to the Justice Department’s Election Threats Task Force, which addresses violent threats against election workers.
A spokesperson for Luna declined to comment on the indictment but stated that Luna has faced a growing number of death threats in the past month. The spokesperson emphasized the need to end violence and abuse in the political arena, particularly targeting female members of Congress. Luna is committed to advocating for ending violence and abuse against women.
