Man accused of threatening to kill members of Congress, FBI agents

FRUITLAND PARK, Fla. — A 36-year-old Fruitland Park man was arrested Wednesday afternoon after threatening to kill members of Congress and law enforcement officers, officials said.

Investigators said Richard Phillips admitted to leaving threatening voicemails and smiled when FBI agents and Fruitland Park police officers played them.

In one case, Phillips left a two-minute voicemail for a member of Congress referred to as "MW," records said.

There are three members of Congress with those initials, the most well-known of whom is U.S. Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA).

Channel 9's Myrt Price contacted Waters' office, but he didn't hear back.

Investigators said Phillips was shouting as he threatened the member of Congress, whom he blamed for his inability to find a job.

Phillips said he wanted to "stick a bullet through your (expletive) skull," records said.

Officials said he also threatened the FBI, saying he would "slaughter" agents if they tried to arrest him.

Investigators said Phillips told them he doesn't have the means to carry out the threats and that he has no weapons, money or travel plans. %

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"I barely see him, and I believe he lives with his mom," neighbor Osiris Nunez said. "He barely comes out. He comes out to get the mail and that's about it."

Price went to Phillips' home Friday, but no one answered the door.

Phillips was booked into the Marion County Jail on charges of transmitting threatening communications.

Cox Media Group