Aug 28, 2025 - News

Woman charged with threatening to kill Sen. Marsha Blackburn

Nate Rau

Sen. Blackburn — Photo: Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

The FBI arrested a Middle Tennessee woman Thursday on charges that she threatened to kill U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn.

Driving the news: Penelope Convertino, a 22-year-old from Murfreesboro, was charged with making a threat to murder a federal official, according to a press release from the U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee.

Convertino entered a not guilty plea after her arrest, according to court records. The records also indicate she was released pending trial.
She faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted.

Zoom in: Prosecutors say the case stemmed from a voicemail left on May 30 at Blackburn's Nashville office.

"I'm gonna kill Marsha Blackburn," the person said on the voicemail, according to the U.S. Attorney's office.
"I'm gonna shoot her with a gun. I'm gonna blow up her head on national TV."

Between the lines: Acting U.S. Attorney Rob McGuire is handling the prosecution.

The indictment was filed under seal on Aug. 20.

Zoom out: Blackburn, a powerhouse in Tennessee Republican politics, was reelected to the Senate last year and is running for governor in 2026.

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Woman charged with threatening to kill Sen. Marsha Blackburn

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