An Omaha man pleaded guilty Tuesday in federal court to threatening the life of Sen. Joni Ernst, who he believed was in cahoots with Islamic State terrorists.
Robert W. Simet, 64, told employees at a motorcycle shop near the Nebraska-Iowa border last July that he might kill the Iowa Republican at a speech she was scheduled to deliver there, according to court documents obtained by The Gazette in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
Ernst’s office could not immediately be reached for comment Wednesday.
An FBI special agent spoke with the shop employees, who said Simet knew Ernst was scheduled to visit, the documents show, and Simet made “alarming” statements that caused employees to fear for the senator’s safety.
Read more at Roll Call.
