Easley Man Sentenced for Sen. Graham Death Threat

U.S. Attorney Bill Nettles said that Simon Peter Long, 32, of Easley, was sentenced Friday in federal court in Anderson by Senior United States District Judge G. Ross Anderson, Jr., to 87 months in prison for mailing a death threat to Sen. Lindsey Graham.

In addition, Judge Anderson also ordered that, after being released from prison, Long will serve a period of three years of supervised release.

Long pled guilty before Judge Anderson on June 25, 2013.  Had the case gone to trial, the government was prepared to show that on about November 27, 2012,  Long wrote a letter to Sen. Graham stating: “I hope you are happy with the job you are doing as a U.S. Senator.  Cause frankly I’m not, along with a bunch of other people just like me.  I’m going to take great pride in kill (sic) you.  I’ve got a bullet with your name on it along with your family.  So watch your back.  Cause it’s comeing (sic).  You can count on it.  Yours truly, Simon Long.”  

After receiving the letter, Graham’s office contacted federal law enforcement authorities.  Long was interviewed at the Pickens County Detention Center where he was being held on pending state charges.  Long admitted to FBI agents that he had written the letter, meant what he said and still felt the same way.  At the sentencing hearing, Long stated that he no longer felt animosity toward Graham.  

The case was investigated by the FBI.  Assistant United States Attorney Jeanne Howard of the Greenville office handled the case.