Joint Federal Operation Neutralizes Threat; New York Man Arrested for Targeting Public Officials

New York, NY – A collaborative investigation between the United States Capitol Police (USCP) and the United States Marshals Service (USMS) has culminated in the arrest of Sash Tharan Balasinkam, who faces federal charges for making explicit, violent threats against Senator Bernie Sanders and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.

The investigation initiated with the U.S. Capitol Police after Balasinkam made repeated, highly specific threats to assault and murder two public officials on social media and recorded crisis lines. These threats included detailed plans to acquire firearms across state lines and travel to the officials' residences.

Recognizing the immediate threat, a U.S. Capitol Police Special Agents requested cooperation with the USMS in the Southern District of New York to effectuate the arrest. USCP partnered closely with the U.S. Marshals Service to get Balasinkam into custody.  

While the U.S. Marshals Service is widely recognized for its core mission of judicial security and protecting members of the federal judiciary, this operation highlights the agency's broader enforcement capabilities. Utilizing its expansive statutory apprehension authority and specialized experience in tracking high-risk individuals, the USMS seamlessly integrated with USCP investigators. The joint effort allowed law enforcement to swiftly locate and apprehend Balasinkam in New York without incident.

"The successful resolution of this case underscores the critical importance of interagency cooperation," said Ricky Patel, U.S. Marshal for the Southern District of New York. "When public officials are threatened, geographic boundaries cannot stand in the way of public safety. By combining the targeted investigative intelligence of the U.S. Capitol Police with the robust tactical and apprehension capabilities of the U.S. Marshals, we ensured a seamless apprehension of a serious threat before it could materialize.”

The case is being prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York.