LAX Leader

A San Fernando Valley resident has been sentenced to 15 months in federal prison for sending threatening emails to the FBI, including threats to bomb the agency's Los Angeles Field Office. Mark William Anten, aged 53 and residing in Sun Valley, received his sentence from United States District Judge Wesley L. Hsu.

Anten was found guilty by a jury on June 5 of two counts of making threats via interstate communication after a three-day trial. "Federal agents deserve our appreciation for risking their lives to enforce the law and protect our community," stated United States Attorney Martin Estrada. He emphasized that threats against law enforcement are unacceptable and reiterated support for the FBI and other law enforcement agencies.

Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office, Akil Davis, remarked on Anten's actions: "Mr. Anten double-downed on his intimidation and credible death threats to FBI employees at their place of employment." Davis noted that while there are civil ways to express disagreement with the government, resorting to violence is not acceptable and will result in imprisonment.

From July 2023 through December 2023, Anten sent increasingly menacing communications culminating in two specific threats targeting the FBI field office in Westwood. His emails frequently referenced Theodore John Kaczynski, known as “The Unabomber,” whose bombing campaign spanned two decades.

Despite being warned by two FBI task force officers during an interview outside his home on November 20, 2023, Anten continued his threatening behavior. On December 5, he emailed agents claiming identity with “The Unabomber” and threatened further violence against the Los Angeles FBI HQ.

In subsequent communications with FBI agents, Anten implied potential mass violence linked to their actions and signed off ominously as “SuperMax or Death.” He also sent an email containing a photograph from an internet search about constructing a dirty bomb.

Later that day, surveillance footage confirmed that Anten visited the Los Angeles Field Office again after emailing agents about his visit plans.

The case was investigated by the FBI and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Clifford D. Mpare from the General Crimes Section and Kedar S. Bhatia from the Terrorism and Export Crimes Section.