Wilbraham Man Sentenced to Prison for Social Media Threats Against Officials and Children

A 37-year-old man from Wilbraham received a 32-month federal prison sentence for posting violent threats on social media that targeted public officials, private citizens, and children across Massachusetts.

Funwayo Mbilini Nyawo appeared before U.S. District Court Judge Mark G. Mastroianni in Springfield on March 31, 2026. The court also ordered three years of supervised release following his prison term.

Nyawo had pleaded guilty in July 2025 to 13 counts of interstate transmission of threatening communications and one count of stalking through facilities of interstate commerce. A federal grand jury had indicted him four months earlier in March 2025.

The Threats and Timeline

Between July 30 and October 1, 2024, Nyawo used X (formerly Twitter) to post numerous threatening messages. His posts explicitly mentioned killing, shooting, or bombing various targets. Many of his messages urged Islamic terrorist groups or holy warriors to carry out acts of violence.

The threats cast a wide net across Massachusetts communities. Nyawo targeted an elected United States official and their family members, along with a former federal official and their relatives. He also threatened a former Massachusetts police officer and their family, two private individuals, and local officials with their families.

His posts specifically mentioned children in Wilbraham and Boston, members of the Wilbraham Police and Fire Departments and their families, two shopping malls, and an elementary school in Springfield.

Stalking Charges

Beyond the general threats, Nyawo engaged in a sustained harassment campaign against one elected federal official. From August 17 through October 1, 2024, he repeatedly used X to intimidate and harass the official, their spouse, their child, their child's spouse, and their grandchildren.

Federal law treats this type of online harassment as stalking when it uses interstate communication systems and aims to intimidate or harass victims.

Understanding the Charges

Interstate transmission of threatening communications is a federal crime because the messages cross state lines through internet platforms. The charge applies when someone uses phones, computers, or other communication devices to send threats that could reasonably cause fear of harm.

Stalking through facilities of interstate commerce refers to using communication systems that operate across state boundaries (like social media platforms) to engage in a pattern of behavior intended to harass or intimidate someone.

Law Enforcement Response

U.S. Attorney Leah B. Foley announced the sentencing alongside Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Boston Division, and representatives from the United States Capitol Police.

The investigation involved coordination among multiple agencies. The Wilbraham Police Department, Hampden County Sheriff's Department, and Miami-Dade Police Department all provided assistance. Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven H. Breslow prosecuted the case from the Springfield Branch Office.

Nyawo used several aliases during this period, including Jonathan Funwayo Nyawo, Michael Jacobs, Robert Jacobs, and Carl Fields.

What Supervised Release Means

After completing his prison sentence, Nyawo will spend three years under supervised release. This means he must follow specific conditions set by the court, which typically include regular check-ins with a probation officer, restrictions on internet and social media use, and prohibitions on contacting victims. Violating these conditions could result in additional prison time.