Hawaii man charged with threatening to kill Obama

[December 11, 2008]  HONOLULU (AP) -- Federal agents have arrested a Hawaii man after he allegedly threatened to attack and kill President-elect Barack Obama when he visits Hawaii on vacation this month.

Mark Miyashiro allegedly made the threats Dec. 3 to a doctor who is treating him for a schizophrenic disorder, according to a criminal complaint filed in U.S. District Court on Friday.

Miyashiro then allegedly made more threats when Secret Services agents interviewed and arrested him at his home in Kaneohe the next day after the doctor notified authorities. They also confiscated a Russian SKS assault rifle.

Miyashiro is charged with one count of threatening the life of the president or the president-elect, which is punishable by up to five years in federal prison, a $250,000 fine and up to three years probation. He was being held at the Federal Detention Center in Honolulu.

His attorney, Matthew C. Winter, was out of the office Wednesday and could not immediately be reached for comment.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Kevin S.C. Chang on Tuesday ordered Miyashiro held without bail, Assistant U.S. Attorney Darren Ching said.

According to the complaint, the doctor, who was not identified, had been treating Miyashiro for about two to three months. Miyashiro was on anti-psychotic and antidepressant medication and has been visiting his office for regular biweekly visits.

The doctor told Miyashiro he would have to report his threats to authorities. Miyashiro replied "it would make him happy" if law enforcement shot him, the complaint said.

Miyashiro told the Secret Service he would attack Obama when the president-elect visited Oahu, but he knew he would get caught, according to the complaint.

He said he thought the Secret Service agents would prevent him from getting close to Obama, but he would attack the agents first and then Obama, the complaint said.

[Associated Press; By AUDREY McAVOY]

Copyright 2008 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.