Photo: New York State Senate
A New York man has been arrested after he allegedly threatened to blow up a state senator's office in Harlem.
On Monday (November 18), Vadim Dergachev was arrested after allegedly walking into the office of Sen. Cordell Cleare, located inside the Adam Clayton Powell State Office Building, and issuing a series of threats against her staff, per the New York Post.
“I’m gonna blow this place up,” Dergachev allegedly said.
Cleare, who represents the 30th state senate district, said she wasn't present for the threats. The Democratic lawmaker said she was on the phone with a staffer when the suspect demanded to see her.
“She said that this man had come in and demanded immediately, just said, ‘I demand, I want to see (Cleare), and if I don’t get to see her, I’m going to shoot this office up, I’m going to bomb the place, and remarks similar to that,” Cleare recalled.
Following President-elect Donald Trump's win, the suspect allegedly said “Things are going to change now."
“He made some disparaging remarks about President Biden and Vice President Harris,” Cleare added.
Dergachev, an apparent Trump supporter, is facing charges of making terroristic threats, threat of mass harm, third-degree menacing, and second-degree harassment.
In a statement, the state legislature’s Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic, and Asian Caucus condemned the incident.
“Regardless of political affiliation or preferred candidates, there is absolutely no room for threats or violence in our public discourse,” the caucus said. “It is incumbent upon every leader, who holds a federal or local office, to set a positive example for all constituents by promoting respectful dialogue and fostering a culture of nonviolence.”
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