TAMPA, Fla. (WWSB) – A California man has been sentenced to 11 months in federal prison for threatening a Tampa podcaster, the U.S. Attorney’s Office announced Thursday.
George Russell Isbell, Jr., 70, had pleaded guilty June 24.
According to court documents, in September 2025, Isbell mailed an “angry, offensive, and threatening letter” from San Diego to a media personality in Tampa, whose identity was protected.
In the letter, Isbell referenced Charlie Kirk, the conservative political activist who was shot and killed while speaking at a Utah college.
“Maybe someone will blow your head off!!! We can hope!” the letter said. ”Planning any public engagements? Love to see your head explode and your blood stain the concrete red. What a sight!”
The FBI partnered with the Tampa Police Department, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement in the investigation.
Copyright 2026 WWSB. All rights reserved.