ORLANDO, Fla. — A federal grand jury has indicted an Orlando man for making online threats against Alina Habba, the United States Attorney for the District of New Jersey, authorities announced on Thursday.
Salvatore Russotto, 58, faces up to 10 years in federal prison if convicted of threatening to injure or kill a federal official and retaliating against a federal law enforcement officer.
According to the indictment, Russotto used an online account on May 19, 2025, to post a series of violent messages directed at Habba. These messages included statements such as: “A slow painful death for HABBA,” “Eliminate HABBA. 86 Traitor. Death penalty for all traitors,” and “I HOPE YOU DIE A PAINFUL DEATH.”
Federal prosecutors assert that this language constituted a true threat of violence. The case is being investigated by the FBI’s Newark and Tampa field offices, as well as the U.S. Marshals Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kara Wick is leading the prosecution.
Alina Habba, who previously gained prominence as an attorney for former President Donald J. Trump, was appointed as U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey in early 2025.
Before taking on this role, she served as legal counsel for Trump in several high-profile civil and criminal cases, including lawsuits related to alleged defamation, classified documents, and the New York Attorney General’s civil fraud investigation. Habba received national media attention for her strong public defense of the former president and became a regular guest on conservative news outlets.
Alina Habba’s appointment to the Justice Department faced scrutiny from critics who questioned the appropriateness of placing a former Trump lawyer in such a significant federal prosecutorial position. Supporters, however, praised her legal skills and unwavering loyalty, arguing that she would bring a bold and aggressive approach to federal law enforcement. The threats against Alina Habba, have arisen amid broader national tensions concerning the justice system and high-profile political prosecutions.
