KENAI, AK – A chilling threat to a U.S. senator led to the arrest of an Alaska man this week. Arther Graham, 46, from Kenai, Alaska, allegedly sent a threatening message to an unnamed U.S. senator on September 28. The message contained a macabre promise to kill the senator and use their skin as attire, as disclosed by U.S. Attorney S. Lane Tucker for the District of Alaska.
Graham’s message, which he signed with his full name, contact number, and address, painted a picture of a man on the brink of eviction and with a past marred by homelessness. The threat was a graphic description of his intent to “hunt” the senator, strip their flesh, and use their skin as clothing, as he felt he had no other place to live.
The senator’s team, having received the message via the senator’s website, promptly reported the threat to the U.S. Capitol Police, triggering an investigation. On October 30, agents from the U.S. Capitol Police and the FBI visited Graham at his residence. During their visit, Graham confessed to sending the message and admitted he knew it was illegal.
The identity of the senator who received the threat has not been disclosed, but the complaint referred to the senator as “she.” Senator Lisa Murkowski is the only female senator from Alaska, but it is unknown if the threat was directed at her or another senator.
Following his confession, Graham was arrested and charged with using interstate communications to issue a threat to kidnap and injure. If convicted, he could face a maximum sentence of five years in prison. The case is being investigated by the U.S. Capitol Police, with assistance from the FBI Anchorage Field Office, Kenai Police Department, and Alaska State Troopers. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Karen Vandergaw for the District of Alaska.
Graham is slated to make his initial court appearance before a U.S. magistrate judge on November 3. This incident occurred just two days after a separate case where a man was arrested for threatening to kill Sen. Jacky Rosen, D-Nev.