Mark Tucci, a 44-year-old resident of Philadelphia, pleaded guilty in federal court to charges related to making violent, racist threats against African Americans. The plea was entered before United States District Judge Gerald A. McHugh.
Tucci was arrested in January following a criminal complaint and warrant, and charged by information in March with several offenses. These included threatening to use a dangerous weapon, interfering with federally protected activities, cyberstalking, interstate communication of threats, and making threats that interfered with federally protected activities. He admitted guilt on all counts.
According to court documents, Tucci repeatedly contacted an employee (Victim 1) of a City of Philadelphia agency using phone calls, text messages, and emails that contained racial slurs and threats of violence. His communications also targeted Victim 1’s colleagues.
Between April 18 and June 2, 2024, Tucci sent multiple emails to Victim 1 regarding a records request he had made. On June 3, the situation escalated when Tucci called the agency several times. During two calls with Victim 1, he identified himself and shouted at the employee until they hung up. In later calls that day with other staff members at the agency, Tucci used racial epithets and threatened to come to the office to harm everyone there. He also stated he knew where Victim 1 lived and threatened them directly.
That same day, Tucci sent additional emails and texts to Victim 1’s personal cell phone—which Victim 1 had not provided—using their name and referencing their home address. The messages included statements such as “This is personal now,” along with further threats.
These actions caused significant emotional distress for Victim 1 and fear for their safety as well as that of their family.
Prosecutors said Tucci’s conduct was motivated by race and color and targeted Victim 1 because they were employed by a city agency.
Court filings also describe an earlier incident on February 1, when Tucci allegedly pulled alongside another car driven by an African American man (Victim 2) on I-95 southbound in heavy traffic. He shouted racial slurs and death threats before throwing a glass mug filled with coffee at the victim’s vehicle, causing damage.
The case was investigated by the FBI along with Pennsylvania State Police and Philadelphia Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney J. Jeanette Kang and Trial Attorney Samuel Kuhn from the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section are prosecuting the case.
United States Attorney David Metcalf commented: “There is no place in our community for hate-fueled violence or intimidation based on race or color.”
