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August 2, 2025 – United States –
A South Carolina man has been sentenced to federal prison after threatening to kill a New York-based journalist in a disturbing case that highlights the increasing dangers faced by media professionals. Austin Suman, 28, from Myrtle Beach, received a two-year prison sentence after pleading guilty to transmitting interstate threats to a reporter who had written articles critical of him.
According to court documents, Suman sent a series of threatening messages to the journalist in early 2023, including one stating he would “put a bullet” in the reporter’s head and another describing his plan to “hunt you down.” The journalist, who has not been publicly named for safety reasons, contacted authorities after receiving the threats. The FBI launched an investigation that led to Suman’s arrest and subsequent prosecution.
Investigators found that Suman had a prior criminal history and access to firearms. During a search of his residence, law enforcement recovered multiple weapons and ammunition. Prosecutors emphasized the seriousness of the threat, noting that it was not a spur-of-the-moment remark but a calculated attempt to silence and intimidate a journalist for their reporting.
The case was handled by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York. In a statement following the sentencing, prosecutors said the decision sends a clear message that threats against journalists will not be tolerated. “Freedom of the press is a cornerstone of our democracy. When journalists are threatened, it is not only their safety that is at risk but the public’s access to truthful information,” the statement read.
Press freedom organizations have welcomed the conviction but continue to express concern over the growing number of threats and harassment cases involving journalists across the United States. Many warn that this trend risks undermining journalistic independence and public accountability.
References –
https://www.walb.com/2025/08/02/sc-man-sentenced-threatening-kill-reporter/
