United States Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Florida

12/13/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 12/13/2024 11:48

Jury Finds Tampa Man Guilty Of Threatening To Plant A Bomb In Member Of U.S. House Of Representative’s District Office

Tampa, Florida - United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that a federal jury has found Rigoberto Albizar Martinez (57, Tampa) guilty of threatening to destroy a building using an explosive. Martinez faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set.

According to court documents, on May 1, 2024, Martinez called the Tampa district office of a member of the United States House of Representatives and left a vulgar, racist, obscenity-laden voicemail. In the voicemail, he threatened to plant a bomb in the Representative's office.

This case was investigated by the United States Capitol Police - Threat Assessment Section. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Karyna Valdes and Special Assistant United States Attorney Joe Wheeler III.