PHILADELPHIA, PA — A Philadelphia man has pleaded guilty to multiple federal charges after making a series of violent, racially motivated threats against African American victims, including a city employee, colleagues, and another motorist, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.
Mark Tucci, 44, entered his guilty plea Thursday before U.S. District Judge Gerald A. McHugh to one count each of threatening to use a dangerous weapon, interfering with federally protected activities, cyberstalking, interstate communication of threats, and threats interfering with federally protected activities.
According to court filings, Tucci launched a harassment campaign between April 18 and June 3, 2024, after making a records request to a Philadelphia city agency. Prosecutors said Tucci repeatedly called, emailed, and texted an employee of the agency — identified in documents as Victim 1 — and used racial epithets alongside violent threats.
On June 3, Tucci escalated his behavior by repeatedly calling the agency, shouting at Victim 1, and threatening harm. During other calls the same day, he told Victim 1’s colleagues that he planned to “come down” to the office the next day to hurt everyone and claimed he had Victim 1’s home address. That evening, he sent additional threatening emails and text messages to Victim 1, referencing personal information and warning, “This is personal now.”
Prosecutors said the repeated communications caused Victim 1 significant emotional distress and fear for personal and family safety. Tucci’s actions, according to the indictment, were intended to intimidate and interfere with Victim 1 because of their race and employment with a city agency.
In a separate incident on February 1, 2024, Tucci allegedly targeted another victim — identified as Victim 2 — while driving on I-95 southbound. Prosecutors said Tucci screamed racial slurs and death threats at the African American driver, then threw a coffee-filled glass mug at the victim’s vehicle, damaging it and causing further fear.
The case was investigated by the FBI, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the Philadelphia Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney J. Jeanette Kang and Trial Attorney Samuel Kuhn of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division.
Tucci is awaiting sentencing.
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