PHOENIX (AP) - The Latest on sentencing of a Chicago man for leaving a threatening voicemail for then-Sen. Jeff Flake of Arizona during Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh's confirmation hearings (all times local):
4:20 p.m.
A Chicago man has been sentenced to three years of probation for leaving a threatening voicemail nearly a year ago for then-Arizona Sen. Jeff Flake during Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh's confirmation hearings.
The guilty plea previously entered in Phoenix by James Dean Blevins Jr. called for him to serve probation.
Authorities previously declined to name person the threat was made against, but Judge Susan Brnovich said at Monday's sentencing that Flake was the victim.
Blevins told the judge he was ashamed for his actions.
Flake played a key role during the hearings when he requested an FBI investigation of claims by a woman who accused Kavanaugh of sexual assault.
Flake, who didn't seek re-election, later voted for Kavanaugh's nomination.
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1:30 p.m.
A Chicago man who pleaded guilty to a federal retaliation charge for leaving a threatening voicemail for a U.S. senator is expected to be sentenced Monday in Phoenix.
The guilty plea previously entered by 58-year-old James Dean Blevins calls for him to serve probation for threatening an official identified only as "United States Senator J.F." during the confirmation hearing for then Supreme Court-nominee Brett Kavanaugh.
Authorities have declined to provide the victim's name, but then-Sen. Jeff Flake of Arizona was the only senator with those initials. Flake later decided not to seek reelection.
In his plea deal, Blevins acknowledged that he left the threatening voicemail on Sept. 17 from his landline in Chicago to the senator's office in Arizona.
Flake has said his family received death threats after he asked a Senate committee to hear testimony from Christine Blasey Ford, who accused Kavanaugh of sexual assault.
