Unsealed Affadavit Details Threats Against Gabbard

The man arrested Wednesday in Mexico left a voicemail threatening to kill US Rep. Tulsi Gabbard early this month followed by emails to the FBI and media outlets with additional threats, authorities said in a criminal complaint unsealed today.

According to the affidavit filed by Special Agent Lauren Vieth of the US Capitol Police, Aniruddha Sherbow called Gabbard’s cell phone at 8:30 a.m. on Aug. 1 and left a threatening voicemail.

The profanity-laced message said he was going to assault and kill her.

Gabbard recognized the voice as Sherbow’s, as did Sherbow’s mother when the message was replayed to her several days later by police.

On Aug. 3, Sherbow sent an email to the FBI and “multiple media outlets” with the subject line “Cutting Off Tulsi Gabbard’s Head.” In the email Sherbow vowed to find Gabbard and behead her.

“Resistance is futile,” Sherbow’s email said.

Two days later, Sherbow’s father confirmed to police that he had also received the email and that it was sent by his son, the affidavit said.

US Rep. Tulsi Gabbard. Courtesy photo.

Vieth’s affidavit said Sherbow has been harassing Gabbard since February 2011, when she was a member of the Honolulu City Council.

Sherbow today made an appearance in US District Court in San Diego where a judge set a Set. 12 date to schedule Sherbow’s transfer to federal court in the District of Columbia where the criminal complaint was filed.

Sherbow has been charged with transmission of threats in interstate commerce. A conviction could result in a fine and up to five years in prison.

Gabbard’s press secretary, Heather Fluit, told the Honolulu Star-Advertiser Thursday that the congresswoman had no specific comment on Sherbow’s arrest but expressed gratitude for the efforts of the US Capitol Police, FBI and other law enforcement authorities.