Man arrested for threatening former US attorney who prosecuted Proud Boys leader

A South Carolina man has been charged by federal authorities after he threatened a former assistant U.S. attorney who prosecuted members of the right-wing extremist group Proud Boys, the Post and Courier reports.

James Giannakos Jr. left a series of voicemails last month threatening the former prosecutor, saying her family and co-workers would be in "danger" if anything happened to former Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio. Giannakos accused unidentified former prosecutors of leaking information to the media that Tarrio was an informant for the FBI and local law enforcement agencies after his arrest in 2012.

"I just wanted you to know that if anything happens to Mr. Enrique Tarrio, the same thing will happen to you and your family," Giannakos said in one of the voice messages.

"I cannot believe you released the (confidential informant) information, if that's even true," he reportedly said. "If anything happens to him, I promise you and your associates will pay for it. You will be held responsible."

Giannakos faces up to five years in prison if convicted.