Federal brokers in Los Angeles have arrested a homosexual Christian podcaster for allegedly threatening to kill President Trump and stalking his private lawyer and the lawyer’s household.
Azariah Southworth, 40, was arrested at his residence in Westlake by FBI brokers who surrounded the residence and demanded he come out.
Southworth, an advocate for homosexual rights and wannabe social media star who previously hosted a Christian actuality present known as The Remix, got here out of his residence and surrendered to brokers with out incident.
He refused to reply questions from the California Submit.
In response to courtroom paperwork, Southworth used his media presence to spew hatred for Trump and his supporters, calling for the assassination of the president on a number of events.
On April 7, courtroom papers say, Southworth posted a video on his Instagram account that contained a sequence of threats towards Trump, together with, “I’ve been vocal in calling for the execution of Donald Trump.”
“This authorities is illegitimate and uncontrolled. It’s time for course correction. Kill Donald Trump,” Southworth continued.
Southworth additionally ranted about killing the president in personal conversations, prosecutors say.
“If I encounter any Trump official in-person, I’m severely afraid I’ll find yourself in Jail,” Southworth mentioned to an affiliate in a January textual content message dialog.
In the identical trade, Southworth mentioned: “But when I may Kill him, I wouldn’t waste the chance.”
“I wish to funnel this rage into avenue artwork. That’s my plan,” he added. “However GOD I would like that mom—-r and his minions lifeless.”
From January to Might, courtroom papers say, Southworth used his social media accounts to encourage violence towards the president.
In March, Southworth posted one other video calling for the loss of life of Trump.
“I wish to observe my free speech as a survivor of conversion remedy for 5 years,” he mentioned within the video, based on courtroom paperwork.
“Kill Donald Trump. Kill that mom—–g pedophile within the White Home. Kill that traitor of america Structure.”
In April he posted a video depicting himself teleporting into the White Home Oval Workplace, behind Trump, and elevating a knife as much as Trump’s head as if he was about to stab him.
Earlier than the display screen goes darkish, a girl’s scream is heard, and a list for Southworth’s web site seems, promoting “Criminally Insane ANTIFA GEAR”.
Later that month, he posted extra movies on his YouTube.com and Instagram accounts depicting fictitious portrayals of acts of violence towards President Trump and mentioned that his earlier assertion, “Kill Donald Trump” was “simply rhetoric.”
He additionally made a submit to his now deleted Instagram account that addressed his followers within the case of his arrest.
“I’m making this video immediately within the occasion of my arrest. It has been a long-held perception that calling for the execution of the president of The USA will get you placed on an inventory or arrested,” he mentioned. “I’ve mates who’re involved this may occur to me as I’ve been vocal in calling for the execution of Donald Trump.”
“It’s time for course correction,” he added. “Kill Donald Trump.”
Prosecutors mentioned that Southworth mentioned his phrases knowingly and willfully, and supposed them to be taken severely.
Southworth additionally went after a lawyer who labored Trump in a January submit on his Tik Tok account, prosecutors say.
“Go to Trump’s private lawyer,” mentioned Southworth wrote, and listed the lawyer’s residence deal with in Brentwood, Tennessee together with {a photograph} of the residence and the lawyer.
In the identical submit, Southworth mentioned, “No peace for traitors.”
In February he started texting the lawyer’s son and accused him of defending pedophiles and little one traffickers, prosecutors says.
He took to Instagram later that month and posted the non-public phone numbers of the lawyer’s son and his quick members of the family.
“Do you wish to boost your love life this Valentine’s Day? Then name one in all these numbers and let these folks know they’re items of s—t,” Southworth mentioned.
Round that point he known as the lawyer and his household at the least 13 occasions and hurled insults at them, prosecutors say.
“There’s going to come back a day when justice involves your door,” he mentioned, chillingly.
FBI Particular Agent Armando Marquez denounced Southworth’s actions, saying the “U.S. Secret Service has zero tolerance for threats towards the President of america.”
Southworth’s website online continues to be dwell, the place he sells stickers that say, “Kill Donald Trump,” and refers to himself as an “artivist” primarily based in LA.
Southworth additionally co-hosted a podcast known as Yass, Jesus!, which is described as “an interfaith and sexuality affirming comedy podcast that believes you don’t have to choose between homosexual and God.”
The podcast “goals to assist others see the queer and trans narratives within the Bible by means of storytelling and comedy,” based on Southworth’s Wikipedia web page.
Southworth grabbed headlines for popping out of the closet whereas nonetheless working in Christian tv in 2008, touchdown articles in The Huffington Submit, PerezHilton.com, The Advocate, and protection on the Fox Information Channel.
He’s charged with one rely of threats towards the president, one rely of cyberstalking and one rely of harassing phone calls in interstate communications.
Southworth faces as much as 12 years in federal jail if he’s convicted on all counts.
