A South Dennis man has pleaded guilty to threatening to kill a federal official, as well as the official’s relative and the relative’s spouse. Michael P. Mahoney, 62, admitted in federal court to one count of transmitting interstate threats to injure another person. The plea was entered before U.S. District Court Chief Judge Denise J. Casper, who scheduled sentencing for October 29, 2025.
According to court documents, on March 28, 2025, the relative of a prominent federal official received a phone call with “No Caller ID” while dining outside Massachusetts. The caller—later identified as Mahoney—confirmed the recipient’s full name before making explicit threats against the individual, their spouse, and the federal official by name. Mahoney used profane language during the call and threatened violence. The initial call lasted about 12 seconds before being disconnected; Mahoney immediately called back but received no answer.
Investigators traced both calls to Mahoney through records from the victim’s phone service provider. When law enforcement attempted to contact him at his home in South Dennis on March 29, Mahoney refused to respond either at his door or by phone.
The charge carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine up to $250,000. Sentencing will be determined based on federal guidelines and relevant statutes.
“United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; Colonel Geoffrey D. Noble, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; and Dennis Police Chief John Brady made the announcement today.”
“Assistant U.S. Attorney Nadine Pellegrini, Chief of the National Security Unit, is prosecuting the case.”
