It started with a post — angry, reckless, and public. A man in Roswell, sitting behind a screen, typed out a threat that would echo far beyond the dark corners of the internet. Now, he’s facing 17 months in federal prison.
💻 What Happened: According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, 35-year-old John Woodbury posted a message on 4chan on June 7, 2023. The message threatened violence against then-FBI Director Christopher Wray and included what Woodbury claimed was Wray’s home address.
- The post called for violence, urging others to target Wray and his family at their home.
- Woodbury pleaded guilty to transmitting a threat in interstate commerce.
⚖️ Why It Matters: Threats against public officials are more than words on a screen. When threats cross the line from speech to criminal act, the consequences are real, for the person who made them, and for the people they target.
🔎 Between the Lines: The internet can feel like a lawless place, but federal law draws a hard line when threats turn specific and personal.
- Woodbury’s post named a target, gave an address, and called for action.
- The FBI investigated, and the case landed in federal court.
👀 Catch Up Quick: Woodbury was sentenced by United States District Judge Sarah E. Geraghty to seventeen months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release.
- He pleaded guilty on April 18, 2025.
- The case was investigated by the FBI.
🌐 The Big Picture: Threats against public officials have become a feature of American life, amplified by online platforms where algorithms promote rage to the masses. But the law is clear: threats that cross state lines, especially those targeting law enforcement or government leaders, can bring serious federal charges.
- Officials say these threats undermine the safety of public servants and the stability of the system itself.
- The case is a reminder that the anonymity of the Internet is not a shield from accountability.
The Sources:
- U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia
- Statements from U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg and FBI Atlanta Special Agent in Charge Paul Brown
- Federal court records
How to Read and Understand The News
When reading news, remember:
- Truth doesn’t change because we dislike it
- Facts remain facts even when they make us uncomfortable
- Events happen whether we accept them or not
- Good reporting often challenges us
- The news isn’t choosing a position — it is relaying what official, verified sources have said.
- Blaming the press for bad news is like blaming a thermometer for a fever.
Before dismissing news that bothers you, ask:
- What evidence supports this story?
- Am I reacting to facts or feelings?
- What would change my mind?
- Am I “shooting the messenger” because I don’t like what is happening?
Smart news consumers seek truth, not just comfort.
B.T. Clark
B.T. Clark is an award-winning journalist and the Publisher of The Georgia Sun. He has 25 years of experience in journalism and served as Managing Editor of Neighbor Newspapers in metro Atlanta for 15 years and Digital Director at Times-Journal Inc. for 8 years. His work has appeared in several newspapers throughout the state including Neighbor Newspapers, The Cherokee Tribune and The Marietta Daily Journal. He is a Georgia native and a fifth-generation Georgian.
