US alleges Danvers, Mass. man mailed violent threats against Iranian-American

[Ian David]

By Charles A. Radin, Globe Staff | March 21, 2007

A federal grand jury yesterday indicted a Danvers man accused of threatening an Iranian-American with sadistic violence and demanding a $20,000 payoff.

Thomas F. Lawlor , 49, was charged with violating the federal law that forbids sending threats through the mail. The offense allegedly occurred in November 2005.

The US attorney's office, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Boston Police Department jointly announced the indictment. It was obtained based on an investigation by the FBI and the Police Department's community disorders unit, law enforcement officials said.

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The letter stated that unless the victim paid $20,000 to the sender, the sender would cut off the recipient's sexual organs. The letter directed profanities at the victim's Muslim religion, his Iranian origins, and his mother.

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Andrew Tarsy , director of the Anti-Defamation League of New England, said after learning of the indictment that "the slurs, intimidation, and threats alleged against the defendant must be condemned in the strongest terms by people of all backgrounds."

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