Morris Plains Man Made Death Threats Against Political Commentator

Haim Braverman admitted to posting violent threats online and sending messages expressing intent to kill in reaction to public statements about a religious figure.

A Morris Plains resident has pleaded guilty to transmitting violent threats across state lines, targeting a political commentator in response to remarks made about a religious figure. The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Alina Habba following a plea hearing held in Newark federal court.

Haim Braverman, 47, entered his guilty plea before U.S. District Court Judge Evelyn Padin to a charge of transmitting threats in interstate commerce. Sentencing is scheduled for September 15, 2025.

According to court documents and statements made during the plea hearing, the incident occurred on or around September 10, 2024. Braverman posted a video to a social media platform in which he issued a series of graphic and violent threats directed at a political commentator. Holding a steel bat in the video, Braverman stated, “[y]ou’ll get what’s coming to you… I’d kill you. Dead.” He further emphasized his intent in a written comment, declaring that the commentator “needs to be killed.”

In the video, Braverman threatened to use a bat he was holding against the commentator, stating: “[y]ou’ll get what’s coming to you . . . , I’ve never met someone . . . if I could f**king kill you right now, I would not even . . . , f**k it I’ll give you the steel bat. I wouldn’t even stop. I’d kill you. Dead. . . . I’m threatening a death sentence against [the commentator].” Braverman also included a written comment on his post in which he stated: “[The commentator] needs to be killed.” Braverman also transmitted an audio message to a group chat on a messaging application, referencing the commentator and stating, “[a]fter I heard what . . . [the commentator] said, I will go to prison, gladly find her and kill her . . . I will find a f**king weapon and f**king kill her. I am outraged.”

In addition to the video post, Braverman sent an audio message to a group chat via a messaging application, reiterating his threats. He stated he was “outraged” by the commentator’s statements about a “prominent, now-deceased rabbi,” and expressed a willingness to go to prison for committing an act of violence, saying, “I will find a fking weapon and fking kill her.”

Federal authorities, including agents from the FBI and officers from the Morris County Sheriff’s Office, conducted the investigation that led to Braverman’s arrest and subsequent guilty plea. The investigation was led by Acting Special Agent in Charge Terence G. Reilly and Sheriff James Gannon.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sammi Malek of the National Security Unit in Newark. Transmitting threats in interstate commerce is a federal offense that can carry significant penalties, including potential prison time.