A 21-year-old Lakeland man was sentenced to three years in prison today for threatening Barack Obama the day after the presidential election.
U.S. District Judge Susan C. Bucklew imposed the sentence on Nathan Wine, noting he suffers from mental illness.
The judge said she understood the issues Wine faces but could not ignore the threats he made.
"None of us ever know who is going to follow through or not follow through," she said. "Always, the concern of the court is the protection of society."
Bucklew also placed Wine on three years of supervision after his release from prison. She ordered he be given mental health and drug treatment during and after his sentence.
On Nov. 5, 2008, Wine sent an e-mail message to the U.S. Army Recruiting Command at Fort Knox, Ky., threatening to shoot Obama. Wine later admitted to Secret Service agents that he sent the e-mail, which was rife with racist statements and misspellings.
Wine pleaded guilty in August without the benefit of a plea bargain.
Psychiatrist Jeffrey Danziger testified that Wine suffers from bipolar disorder and substance abuse. Wine has been in and out of institutions, beginning at age 6 when he threatened his sister.
Wine said he wasn't taking his medication and was using methamphetamine, cocaine and other drugs when he sent the e-mail.
He told Bucklew he isn't a racist and apologized for "my foolish offense." He said he did things that were out of character when he was depressed and high.
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