Palo Alto: Justice department drops case against man charged with threatening elected officials

SAN FRANCISCO — Federal prosecutors here have dropped a criminal threats case against a man accused of threatening a member of Congress and a Florida state representative, court records show.

Aaditya Chand, 23, called one of the victims “Palestinian scum” and added “I’m gonna shoot up ur office tomorrow” (sic), according to prosecutors. This year, he entered into a diversion agreement with prosecutors, requiring him to take anger management classes, mental health counseling and do community service.

The case was dropped last month after Chand provided “documentary proof” he’d held up his end of the bargain, according to court records.

When Chand was indicted last year, he was a Palo Alto resident. He has since moved to the United Kingdom, according to court records. Authorities said at the time he threatened a member of Congress on social media and also messaged a Florida state representative, “I’m gonna bring a gun to ur office tomorrow and shoot u and ur (sic) staff,” according to the indictment. Both alleged threats were sent on the same day.