Perennial Delaware political candidate Michael Protack faces federal charges over allegedly sending threatening messages through the mail. A federal grand jury indicted him.
According to the indictment, in early 2021, Protack, 64, used the U.S. Postal Service to mail two separate communications containing a threat to injure another person.
If convicted, Protack faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties.
A release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for Delaware listed Protack’s address as Seal Beach, CA. He formerly lived in Hockessin.
Protack, a William Penn High School and University of Delaware graduate, was a long-time pilot for Delta Airlines.
This case was investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the FBI Baltimore Division’s Wilmington Office, with assistance from the Delaware State Police and the New Castle County Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Briana Knox is prosecuting the case.
Protack, a Republican, was known in Delaware and New Castle County as a perennial candidate for public office, losing six races ranging from Republican nominations for Governor and U.S. Senate to a County Council seat.
In 2018, he filed suit against Delta Airlines, claiming the carrier conspired to terminate him after expressing safety concerns.
A press release announcing the suit accused the airline of falsely claiming that Protack was medically unfit to fly. Protack further claimed the airline violated the Americans With Disabilities Act.
