August 22, 2012
Connecticut Man Guilty in Threats Over Gay Marriage
Jason St. Amand READ TIME: 1 MIN.
NEW HAVEN, Conn. - An Enfield man has admitted in court that he sent threatening letters to the director of a Connecticut group that opposes same-sex marriage.
The Hartford Courant reports that Daniel Sarno pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in New Haven on Tuesday to two counts of mailing threatening communications. He targeted Peter Wolfgang, executive director of the Family Institute of Connecticut.
Assistant U.S. Attorney John Durham said some letters contained threats. He was not specific.
Under federal sentencing guidelines, Sarno faces 10 to 16 months in prison.
Senior U.S. District Judge Ellen Bree Burns ordered the 53-year-old Sarno to report back to court Jan. 3 for sentencing and submit to a psychological evaluation.
Wolfgang thanked authorities for protecting him, his family and colleagues. He said opponents of same-sex marriage are increasingly being intimidated.
