A former GOP candidate receives three years in federal prison after threatening to have Congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna assassinated by a foreign hit squad.
At a Glance
- William Robert Braddock III was sentenced to three years in federal prison for threatening Rep. Anna Paulina Luna
- Braddock claimed a “Russian-Ukrainian hit squad” would eliminate Luna, his primary opponent
- He fled to Thailand and later the Philippines before surrendering to authorities in 2023
- No evidence emerged that Braddock had connections to foreign crime organizations or took steps to carry out threats
- Luna went on to win both the primary and general election for Florida’s 13th Congressional District
Threats Against a Congresswoman
William Robert Braddock III, a former Florida Republican congressional candidate, has been sentenced to three years in federal prison for threatening his political rival, Representative Anna Paulina Luna. Braddock pleaded guilty to sending an interstate transmission of a threat to injure, a serious federal offense. The case stemmed from disturbing statements made during a 2021 telephone conversation with Luna’s friend, GOP activist Erin Olszewski, who recorded the call that would later become central to the criminal case against him.
During the recorded conversation, Braddock made explicit threats against Luna, who was then his opponent in the Republican primary for Florida’s 13th Congressional District. Prosecutors presented evidence that Braddock had attempted to intimidate Luna by suggesting he had connections to foreign assassins who could eliminate her from the race.
Explicit Threats Recorded
The recorded conversation revealed the disturbing nature of Braddock’s threats against Luna. Federal prosecutors built their case around these explicit statements, which clearly demonstrated Braddock’s intent to frighten and intimidate his political opponent. Luna had previously sought restraining orders against Braddock in 2021, alleging he had stalked her and made her fear for her safety during the campaign season.
According to Bradock’s recording: “I really don’t want to have to end anybody’s life for the good of the people of the United States of America. That will break my heart. But if it needs to be done, it needs to be done. Luna is a f**king speed bump in the road. She’s a dead squirrel you run over every day when you leave the neighborhood.”
Braddock also claimed to have access to a “Russian-Ukrainian hit squad” that would eliminate Luna if she became too problematic for his political ambitions. Despite the alarming nature of these threats, investigators found no evidence that Braddock actually had connections to foreign organized crime or had taken concrete steps to carry out any murder plot.
Flight and Consequences
After making these threats, Braddock fled the country. He initially traveled to Thailand and later settled in the Philippines, effectively becoming a fugitive from U.S. justice. His international flight complicated the case against him and delayed legal proceedings. Eventually, Braddock surrendered to authorities in Manila in 2023 and was extradited back to the United States last fall to face the charges against him.
“Female members of Congress are disproportionately targeted for stalking, violence, and harassment compared to their male counterparts. This alarming trend points to a broader and more disturbing issue of violence in the political arena,” said Rep. Anna Paulina Luna.
Despite Braddock’s threats, Luna prevailed in both the primary and general elections for Florida’s 13th Congressional District. She was subsequently re-elected last year, continuing to serve her constituents while her former opponent faced the legal consequences of his actions. The case has highlighted concerns about the safety of elected officials, particularly female representatives who statistically face more threats than their male counterparts.
