'Anti-Government Extremist' Charged With Threatening to Kill Pennsylvania Bank Employees
Feds: 'Sovereign citizen' Michael Chung of Queens faxed death threat.
Aug. 8, 2012 — -- A New York City man who authorities say has ties to anti-government extremism was arrested Tuesday for allegedly threatening to kill employees at a Pennsylvania bank.
Michael Chung, 52, allegedly faxed a letter to a Pottsville, Pennsylvania branch of Sovereign Bank on Monday in which he cited the second amendment of the Constitution and threatened to kill workers at the bank.
"The 2nd Amendment to the National Constitution authorizes the use of deadly force to protect my interests as a national citizen," said the fax, according to the criminal complaint. "I believe I have a basis to act in that manner."
According to a law enforcement official, Chung told investigators he is a "sovereign citizen," one of a group of people who reject government authority and resist paying taxes. The FBI monitors the "sovereign citizen" movement as a potential domestic terror threat.
Chung had a $179,000 home equity loan with Sovereign Bank that may have prevented him from selling his Bayside, Queens home, said law enforcement sources. There may be a lien on the residence. Chung allegedly faxed the threat after the bank did not file a form that he argued would eliminate the need for him to repay the loan, according to the complaint.
According to the complaint Chung also has a shotgun registered in his name.
Chung will be arraigned today in federal court in Brooklyn, New York.
