The FBI, along with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and the Butts County Sheriff's Office, has taken into custody a suspect in Buffalo, N.Y., accused of making death threats against Republican Senate hopeful Mike Collins and his son-in-law, officials said Monday.
Anthony Lantrell Bennett, a Buffalo resident, was arrested Friday and charged with two counts of terroristic threats, according to the Butts County Sheriff's Office. The agency said Bennett admitted to threatening both men, and investigators concluded the threats were tied to an inaccurate online story.
FBI Buffalo Special Agent-in-Charge Allen D. Davis II underscored the cross-state nature of the case, saying, “State lines don't protect those who threaten violence, and they do not stop the FBI and our law enforcement partners from pursuing them. Strong law enforcement partnerships are critical to our mission.”
Collins, who is challenging Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff in the fall, thanked authorities on X, expressing gratitude for their quick action to protect his family. He also sought to tie the incident to his opponent, accusing Ossoff of using inflammatory rhetoric that could incite violence.
“It's become fashionable for leftist to say anything they want about their Republican opponents to try to irrationally and inaccurately paint them as monsters,” Collins wrote. “My opponent clearly likes to play that irresponsible game, and here we are. When you mix false accusations with inflammatory rhetoric, it fuels the lunatics who want to settle political disagreements with violence.”
Collins called on Ossoff to condemn political violence, apologize for alleged false attacks, and focus on issues. An Ossoff campaign spokesperson responded, “Senator Ossoff condemns all threats of violence,” but did not confirm whether the two have spoken directly.
The arrest comes amid heightened scrutiny of Collins, whose son-in-law, David Alan Scheer II, has faced criticism for past antisemitic and white nationalist statements. Collins previously distanced himself from Scheer, saying, “He doesn't speak for me. I don't speak for him. No one speaks for me, and I don't speak for anyone else. I condemn all forms of anti-Semitism.”
Polling from Decision Desk HQ shows Ossoff with a 9-point lead over Collins, but the race remains competitive. The incident also highlights broader concerns about political violence, following recent events such as the assassination attempt on President Trump and the killing of a Minnesota lawmaker.
As the campaign intensifies, the intersection of online rhetoric and real-world threats continues to draw attention, with officials emphasizing that threats will be prosecuted regardless of jurisdiction.
