A Pennsylvania man who is running for U.S. Senate was arrested following a federal investigation into a series of threatening voicemails allegedly directed at a member of Congress and President Donald Trump.
Raymond Eugene Chandler III, of Wilkinsburg in Allegheny County, has been charged with influencing, impeding, or retaliating against a federal official by threat, as well as threatening a family member of a federal official, according to a criminal complaint filed in U.S. District Court.
Federal agents, including the FBI and U.S. Secret Service, executed a raid Friday at a residence along Biddle Avenue, where Chandler was taken into custody.
He later appeared in federal court in Pittsburgh for an initial hearing and was advised of the charges. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for May 8.
Court documents say the investigation centers on a series of voicemails left for an unidentified member of Congress over roughly a one-year span beginning in April 2025 and continuing into 2026.
Investigators allege the messages became increasingly explicit and threatening over time, with Chandler identifying himself in some of the calls, which helped law enforcement trace their origin, the Daily Voice reported.
According to filings, several voicemails contained violent rhetoric directed at the lawmaker and their family, including graphic threats to harm their 13-year-old daughter.
Other messages allegedly included calls for violence against President Trump and instructions encouraging the lawmaker to carry out an assassination.
Authorities also cited additional communications referencing violence against federal officials and support for armed resistance against government agencies.
Officials said the nature and escalation of the messages led to heightened security awareness for the targeted individuals while investigators worked to identify the source and establish a timeline of the communications.
The investigation further revealed that Chandler had recently been positioning himself in the political sphere.
On the day of his arrest, he posted online material indicating a U.S. Senate campaign in Pennsylvania, including an intention to challenge Sen. John Fetterman in 2028.
His campaign website outlines policy positions focused on economic reform, including proposals such as a wealth tax, universal healthcare, and universal basic income.
An online fundraising page associated with the effort was removed following his arrest.
Investigators also reviewed digital activity tied to Chandler in the months leading up to the arrest as part of efforts to determine whether the communications reflected broader planning or isolated incidents.
Authorities have not indicated any additional suspects connected to the case.
Court records did not list an attorney for Chandler as of Friday. Prosecutors are seeking pretrial detention as the case moves forward.
The FBI said in a statement that it “will not tolerate threats of violence” and emphasized coordination with federal partners during the investigation and arrest, WTAE reported.
The case comes amid continued federal concern over threats targeting elected officials, with law enforcement agencies increasingly focused on monitoring communications that escalate from political grievance into potential violence.
Chandler has not been convicted, and the allegations in the complaint must be proven in court.
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