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Matthew Jordan Lindner of Comfort, Texas, is charged with transmitting interstate threats and faces up to five years in prison if convicted, the US Attorney for Massachusetts said. He is being held without bail until a hearing later this week.
The FBI said Lindner, who owns Lindner Ammo in Comfort, called a doctor at the Fenway Health affiliated clinic on Aug. 31 and left a profanity-filled voicemail threatening violence and retribution for the doctor's work. The doctor's work "focuses on sexual health issues with a particular focus on gender nonconforming youth," according to court records. They are also "an advocate for gender-affirming care and the use of puberty blockers/hormones to delay puberty in gender-questioning youth," the FBI said.
“You sick motherf*****s, you’re all gonna burn," Lindner reportedly said in his voicemail. "There’s a group of people on their way to handle [victim]. You signed your own warrant, [victim]. Castrating our children. You’ve woken up enough people. And upset enough of us. And you signed your own ticket. Sleep well, you f******, c***.”
Lindner then called Rhode Island University, where the doctor is a faculty member, and the doctor's former medical practice to leave similar threats, the FBI said.
Lindner's calls came shortly after an online smear campaign targeted Boston Children's Hospital with false information and reports about the hospital's work with underage trans children. Others were sucked up in the hysteria as well.
The FBI arrested a Westfield woman and charged her with making bomb threats to Children's Hospital. That bomb threat was reported on Aug. 30, a day before Lindner's alleged call. Boston police evacuated the building to sweep for explosives, but the sniffer dogs and bomb squad found nothing.
“Mr. Lindner’s alleged conduct – a death threat – is based on falsehoods and amounts to an act of workplace violence. The victim, a doctor caring for gender nonconforming and transgendered patients, should be able to engage in this meaningful and necessary work without fear of physical harm or death. And although the doctor is clearly a victim, Mr. Lindner’s threat is rooted in a hatred of the LGBTQIA+ community and the families, friends, and people that love and support them. They are victims too,” said United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins. “There used to be a respite and safe haven from harm or attack in our schools, churches, hospitals, and courthouses. ... Today’s charges show that we will scour the country to ensure the safety and wellbeing of people in Massachusetts. Hate has no place here.”
Fenway Health thanked federal investigators for their hard work to make an arrest in this case.
“As the negative rhetoric surrounding the LGBTQIA+ community — and transgender and gender diverse people in particular — continues to escalate, attacks on medical professionals who provide gender-affirming health care are on the rise,” the company said in a statement to the New York Times. “We are grateful for the quick action of law enforcement in helping to put a stop to the hate-fueled threats and harassment directed at the doctor.”
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