A Beaverton man who threatened to harm Oregon Sen. Ron Wyden on a voicemail message left at a state agency in early March was sentenced Friday to two years of federal supervision after he pleaded guilty to a felony charge.
At 8:34 a.m. on March 3, James Arthur Sickler, 53, had left a two-minute message on the phone line of Oregon Health Authority’s state registrar, threatening to chop off the Democratic senator’s tongue, fingers and “wedding ring finger,’’ claiming Wyden was a mass murderer, according to court records.
The FBI, Oregon State Police and the U.S. Capitol Police were notified.
Investigators traced the caller’s voicemail to Sickler, who had a history of leaving threatening messages for Wyden and other federal officials dating back to 2004, according to a court affidavit.
In November 2018, Sickler had called the Secret Service and asked if their officers protected Wyden, saying he’s a “dead...,’’ before hanging up, according to the affidavit. It’s unclear why Sickler made the threats to Wyden.
Henry Stern, Wyden’s spokesman, said his office doesn’t comment on security matters.
Beaverton police arrested Sickler on March 9 on a probation violation.
On Friday, Sickler pleaded guilty to threatening to assault Wyden, a federal official, with the intent to impede, intimidate and interfere with him in the course of his official duties.
“I just want to apologize for the phone call that I made,’’ Sickler told the court.
Sickler said he was off his medication and having an “off day.’’
James A. Sickler was sentenced Friday to two years of federal supervision for threatening to assault Oregon Senator Ron Wyden via a voicemail message.MCSO
Through a plea agreement, Assistant U.S. Attorney Michelle Kerin and Sickler’s defense lawyer Robert Hamilton jointly recommended a sentence of time served.
But U.S. District Judge Marco A. Hernandez said that wasn’t sufficient.
The judge added two years of federal post-prison supervision for Sickler.
“I want you on supervision to me, so I can watch what’s happening,’’ the judge said.
Sickler was ordered to have no direct or indirect contact with any member of the Oregon congressional delegation or their staff, not possess or use any alcohol and to complete a mental health treatment program.
“When you’re drinking, you’re a menace,’’ Hernandez told him.
Sickler has prior convictions for attempted arson, drinking in public, disorderly conduct, possession of controlled substances, harassment, reckless driving, improper use of 911 and fourth-degree assault.
-- Maxine Bernstein
Email at mbernstein@oregonian.com
Follow on Twitter @maxoregonian
Visit subscription.oregonlive.com/newsletters to get Oregonian/OregonLive journalism delivered to your email inbox.