Clearance Applicant Sent Death Threats to Ex-Girlfriend and Prosecutors

In one of the more unusual and colorful Defense Office of Hearing and Appeals cases, the applicant, a defense contractor, was initially denied security clearance eligibility due to security concerns regarding his history of criminal conduct, a psychological disorder, drug involvement, and alcohol consumption. The applicant subsequently appealed the decision to DOHA and appeared at the hearing. Here are the highlights.

The applicant’s history of criminal conduct from 1997 to 2024 included:

• Two separate arrests for driving under the influence and once for public intoxication
• Two counts for violating a protective order and two counts of felony harassment

The last two counts of violating a protective order were felonies and resulted in his being sentenced to prison for 41 months. It all stemmed from his alcohol consumption which led to his relationship break with his girlfriend. After the breakup, he sent threatening emails to the ex-girlfriend, her sister and parents, the prosecutors for his various convictions, and even a judge. Some examples of his threats were:

• “Pink mist your grape”
• “I’ll murder your whole f – – – – – – family just like you tried to murder mine”
• “Better practice, because my AR-15 will smoke you from 500 yards”

At the hearing the applicant downplayed the various threats, attributing the conduct and resulting arrests to others who were out to get him, and that his threatening messages were in “jest”. At some point during all of his convictions he was diagnosed with having an Alcohol Use Disorder. Despite court orders prohibiting him from consuming alcohol he continued to drink even during treatment and counseling. The judge in this case noted the applicant’s failure to take full responsibility for his criminal conduct and his continued issues with the use of alcohol – clearance eligibility denied. You can read the entire summary here.