A 23-year-old sports gambler was arrested for allegedly sending threatening messages to athletes after he lost money. Federal authorities charged Benjamin Tucker Patz, who is known as "Parlay Patz," with transmitting threats in interstate or foreign commerce for allegedly sending horrific messages to professional and college athletes.
In a 20-page affidavit, FBI Special Agent Daniel Nowak detailed some of the vile things Patz allegedly sent. After losing $10,000 betting on the Los Angeles Rams to defeat the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LIII, he sent Instagram messages to two players on the Patriots, identified as J.E. and R.G.
I’ll rape and murder your entire family,"he wrote in one message.
“I will brutally rape and murder your family. … I will enter your home while you sleep and sever your neck open with a dull knife," he told the other player.
He even sent a threat to the girlfriend of a player on the Atlanta Braves.
"I'll enter your home while you sleep and end both of you."
Patz received a response from a college athlete, who he blamed for losing a $100,000 bet.
"Gambling is a dangerous habit. You're addicted. Stop it. Get some help," the athlete identified as C.J. from the University of Arizona told him.
Patz replied, "I'm doing just fine, over one million this month!"
In total, investigators found at least 300 different accounts that Patz targeted.
Patz was released on a $100,000 bond. As a condition of his release, he was ordered to stay off Instagram and Twitter and banned from gambling. If convicted, he faces up to five years in federal prison.