Man To Stand Trial for Death Threat Against State Representative Cynthia Johnson

LANSING - Michael Varrone, 49, who called the state House of Representatives six times on Dec. 12, 2020, using one of those calls to threaten the life of state Rep. Cynthia A. Johnson (D-Detroit) and her family, has been ordered to stand trial. He faces two counts of making a false threat of terrorism and one count of making a false report of a bomb.

During the phone call, Varrone said, "If there is one more threat by a democratic person in Michigan that's supposed to represent me, I will personally come down there and take over that goddam building at the Capitol... If I'm threatened by another senator or anybody like Cynthia Johnson, I'll personally take care of that mother****** and their whole f****** family, there'll be no Johnsons left in Michigan," according to the affidavit.

"I am thankful that our justice system took a stand against those who would try to intimidate me and other elected officials for standing up for our democracy," Johnson said. "For anyone who threatens me and says there will be no more Johnsons left in Michigan: no, I am not going anywhere. Let's show the world that we will not put up with this type of assault on people who look like me or our democracy. The next step is to convict this man and any other person who dares to try and dismantle what we've worked so hard for and get back to work for the people of this state."

"My office will not tolerate threats to our democracy or to elected officials," state Attorney General Dana Nessel said in a statement. "Mr. Varrone being bound over to stand trial on these charges affirms that commitment.

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Varrone is currently free on bond. His next court date has not been set.