Georgia Man Arraigned on Federal Charges for Threatening U.S. Senators and Their Families

Robert Davis Forney, 25, of Duluth, Georgia, was arraigned today before a United States Magistrate Judge on federal charges of communicating threats in interstate commerce. Forney was indicted by a federal grand jury seated in the Northern District of Georgia on June 10, 2025.

“Threatening our elected officials and their families is an act of violence that undermines our entire democracy,” said U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg. “Political discourse and disagreements never justify resorting to vile attacks against our nation’s leaders.”

According to information presented in court, on January 9, 2025, Forney twice called the office of Texas U.S. Senator Ted Cruz and left voicemails threatening sexual violence against Senator Cruz and his family. The following day, Forney allegedly called the office of Nebraska U.S. Senator Deb Fischer and left a voicemail threatening sexual violence against her as well.

“Targeting public officials with threatening messages is a serious federal crime,” said FBI Atlanta Special Agent in Charge Paul Brown. “There is no place for political violence or threats of violence in the United States. We will not hesitate to arrest and charge others who engage in similar criminal conduct.”

Members of the public are reminded that the indictment only contains charges, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt at trial. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Bret R. Hobson and Brent Alan Gray are prosecuting the case.

The case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the United States Capitol Police.