The FBI on Friday arrested a man from Texas who allegedly called and threatened a Boston doctor who provided care to transgender people, according to the US Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts.
The man identified as Matthew Jordan Lindner, age 250, is facing one count of interstate threat transmission. He is expected to appear in federal court in Massachusetts shortly.
Authorities reported that the doctor worked for a Boston-based national LGBTQ health education center. In August, Jordan reportedly called the center and left a threatening message in which he assured that a group of people would go to look for him to see a doctor, reported The Associated Press.
According to Massachusetts US Attorney Rachael Rollins, while the threat was directed at a specific doctor, it also mentioned LGBTQ people and their families.
In August, false information began to spread on social media alleging that health care providers at Boston Children’s Hospital were performing hysterectomies and gender-affirming surgeries on patients of 18 years, something that was denied by hospital staff, according to the criminal complaint cited by CNN.
Consequently, doctors and other members of the hospital received threats violence related to their medical care for young transgender people, with harassment by phone, social networks and emails. 38
Last 18 August, the National Center for Education for LGBTQIA+ Health at the Fenway Institute, also in Boston, received a voicemail from a person who threatened to harm and kill a doctor at the center who specializes in sexual health issues, calling himself an “advocate for the gender-affirming care,” according to the complaint.
If convicted, Lindner could face up to five years in prison with three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000 Dollars.