A Philadelphia man has been sentenced to 33 months in federal prison for making violent, racist threats against African American individuals and violating their civil rights. Mark Tucci, 44, received his sentence from United States District Judge Gerald A. McHugh. In addition to the prison term, Tucci was ordered to serve two years of supervised release and pay $16,529.44 in restitution.
Tucci pleaded guilty earlier this year to charges including interfering with federally protected activities, cyberstalking, and interstate communication of threats. The charges stem from a series of incidents where Tucci targeted an employee of a City of Philadelphia agency (referred to as Victim 1) and others associated with that agency.
According to court documents, between April and June 2024, Tucci sent repeated emails containing racial slurs and violent threats to Victim 1 about a records request he had submitted. On June 3, 2024, Tucci escalated his behavior by repeatedly calling the agency. During calls with Victim 1 and colleagues, he used racial epithets and threatened physical harm. He also sent threatening text messages referencing personal information about Victim 1.
The harassment caused significant emotional distress for Victim 1 and fear for their safety and that of their family.
In another incident on February 1, 2024, Tucci approached another car in traffic on I-95 southbound and shouted racial slurs and death threats at the driver (Victim 2), who is African American. He then threw a glass mug at Victim 2’s vehicle after pretending to reach for a weapon.
U.S. Attorney David Metcalf stated: “Every citizen is entitled to a peace and security undisturbed by the abhorrent and racist threats that took place in this case, full stop,” adding “No citizen has the right to inflict, and no citizen has the duty to endure, the verbal harassment and racist attacks that the defendant committed in our District.”
Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division said: “Today’s sentence sends a clear message: hate-based violence has no place in America,” adding “The Civil Rights Division remains committed to ensuring that all Americans feel safe in their cities and communities.”
Wayne A. Jacobs, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Philadelphia remarked: “Today’s sentencing reinforces our commitment to protecting every individual’s civil rights and ensuring that those who intimidate, harass, or threaten our citizens are brought to justice.” He noted ongoing collaboration among federal agencies: “The FBI and our partners at the Philadelphia Police Department, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the United States Attorney’s Office will continue to work side by side to safeguard our communities from threats of violence.”
The investigation involved cooperation among multiple law enforcement agencies including the FBI, Pennsylvania State Police, and Philadelphia Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys J. Jeanette Kang and Michelle L. Morgan along with Trial Attorney Samuel Kuhn from the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section.