A Texas man has been sentenced to prison for threatening a Maryland physician who had supported the COVID-19 vaccine, the U.S. Justice Department said Aug. 24.
Scott Eli Harris, 52, of Aubrey, Texas, was sentenced to six months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. He was sentenced after pleading guilty in February to threats transmitted by interstate communication.
Mr. Harris' plea agreement and statements made in connection with the sentencing hearing indicate Mr. Harris sent a threatening message via cell phone to a Maryland physician who advocated for the COVID-19 vaccine, according to the Justice Department. Prosecutors said Mr. Harris' message contained statements including, "Never going to take your wonder drug. My 12 gauge promises I won't. … I can't wait for the shooting to start." The message also referenced the physician's Asian-American race and national origin. The physician's full name was not disclosed in the Justice Department's announcement.
Assistant Federal Public Defender Cynthia Frezzo said in an email to Becker's: "Mr. Harris has expressed deep and sincere remorse for his actions, and he has provided the U.S. Attorney's Office with a heartfelt apology letter to share with the victim."
Mr. Harris "was in the throes of undiagnosed, service-related mental illness" when the offense occurred, and he "appreciates that his arrest and court-ordered supervision helped him to get the mental healthcare he so desperately needed. As a result, he has done exceptionally well since his arrest," she added.
"While we are disappointed that the U.S. Attorney's Office requested incarceration for a disabled veteran with no prior criminal convictions, Mr. Harris understands the seriousness of his actions and why the court felt the need to impose a period of incarceration to deter others from engaging in similar conduct," Ms. Frezzo said. "Mr. Harris hopes that his case will encourage other struggling veterans to reach out for help before experiencing the crisis he did, and that access to mental health services can be improved for veterans across the country."