A New York state man in his 20s named Tyler Vogel has been criminally charged with felony and misdemeanor offenses after allegedly sending threatening text messages to New York state Attorney General Letitia James and Judge Arthur Engoron. The alleged messages were in connection to the high-profile civil case originating with James and decided by Engoron that accused Donald Trump of a years-long pattern of business fraud.
Authorities said that Vogel demanded the two “cease action” in the proceedings. Though trial is long over, the case continues, with Trump recently coming up with a $175 million bond to hold off collections on his (much higher) penalties throughout a pending appeals process. An appeals court in New York lessened the amount required for the bond, which would have otherwise had to cover the entirety of the nearly half a billion dollars in financial penalties. Trump was very prominently complaining around those deadlines about the burden, claiming it unprecedented though the bond process isn’t new.
“It is alleged that the defendant sent text messages separately to each victim, which threatened physical harm or death if the victim did not comply with his request to cease action in a pending high-profile civil case outside of Erie County,” said a press release recapping recent developments in Vogel’s case. The targets were identified elsewhere as James and Engoron. Vogel is facing charges from local prosecutors in New York state’s Erie County.
Vogel “allegedly obtained the victims’ phone numbers through a paid background website,” authorities added, suggesting — assuming the account of events is upheld — clear-cut intent. His charges come with up to 7 years in prison on the most serious allegations.
The situation mirrors the concerns that have produced a series of gag orders on Trump, including restrictions on his public commentary in a New York City criminal case quickly approaching trial this month. The judge expanded the order in those proceedings after Trump began berating the judge’s daughter in public remarks, creating concerns of potential clouds of fear and intimidation affecting others as well. The daughter isn’t even involved in the case.
