The man accused of making threats against Muslim Congresswoman, Ilhan Omar, appeared in federal court in Rochester Monday.

Fifty-five-year-old Patrick Carlineo, Jr., of Addison, Steuben County, is charged with threatening to assault and murder a United States official, the U.S. Attorney’s Office reports.

On March 21, Carlineo is alleged to have told one of Congresswoman Omar’s staffers over the phone that he would put a bullet in the representative’s skull.

During the federal bail hearing on Monday, prosecutors said Carlineo had several firearms in his home. Members of law enforcement executed a search warrant on April 5 and confiscated six weapons including a loaded shotgun, .45 caliber handgun, two .22 caliber rifles, an AK-47, and a .308 rifle with a scope. Police also removed more than one thousand rounds of ammunition. The prosecution says Carlineo’s girlfriend, Lisa Caslin lied to the FBI on March 29 about firearms being inside the home.

Prosecutors said Carlineo has a prior criminal record and should not have been in possession of firearms. In 1998 he was convicted of criminal mischief and sentenced to probation. However, after a parole violation, he was sentenced to one year in jail. According to the prosecution, Carlineo was involved in a domestic incident with his girlfriend, which was handled in town court, and was also arrested for a D.W.I. in 2009.

The actual phone call made to Congresswoman Omar’s office was not recorded and the Defense says the call was traced to Carlineo’s girlfriend, Lisa Caslin. The defense also argues what Carlineo actually said in the call is in dispute. According to Carlineo, he said, “If our forefathers were still alive, they would put a bullet in her (Omar’s) skull.”

Carlineo admitted he called other political offices but did not admit to making threats.

No decision was made on bail during the hearing and Carlineo remains in custody. He is due back in court on June 7 for a status hearing but a decision on bail is expected before that.
 
If Carlineo is convicted, he could face up to 10 years in prison.