Fort Worth police arrested Billy James McFatridge on August 25 and charged him with making a terroristic threat toward a public servant, a misdemeanor offense. The charge stems from two threatening messages McFatridge sent to Texas State Representative and U.S. Senate candidate James Talarico earlier this month.
Details of the alleged threats
According to an arrest affidavit, McFatridge used a Gmail account on August 3 to tell Talarico that he would “slit his throat and drag his body through the streets.” A second message, sent via Instagram on August 11, allegedly threatened to castrate the candidate. Investigators from the Texas Department of Public Safety linked McFatridge to both online accounts and confirmed his ownership when they questioned him at his Fort Worth home.
McFatridge’s background and statements
During the interview, McFatridge admitted to owning the accounts but claimed he only intended to scare Talarico and had no plan to physically harm anyone. He also told investigators he possessed multiple firearms, a detail that raised additional concerns for law‑enforcement.
McFatridge’s criminal history includes a 2018 aggravated‑assault arrest and a prior incident in 2023 where he sent threatening messages to a former supervisor. These past actions suggest a pattern of escalating intimidation.
Impact on Talarico’s campaign
Representative Talarico and his staff reported feeling genuine fear for their safety after receiving the messages. The campaign has since increased security measures for upcoming events, including a scheduled stop in Fort Worth. The threats have underscored the heightened tension surrounding the 2026 U.S. Senate race in Texas.
Legal proceedings and bond conditions
McFatridge was released on bond with several conditions: he must wear a GPS monitor, stay away from all Talarico campaign events, and avoid government buildings. Any violation could result in additional charges.
The information in this report comes from the arrest affidavit filed by Travis County authorities.
Original reporting: Dallas – Ft. Worth Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
