Man sentenced for threatening Trumps

BOSTON — A Massachusetts man who sent threatening letters containing white powder to President Donald Trump’s sons, as well as to Antonio Sabato Jr., U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow and a law professor, was sentenced Friday in federal court to five years of probation.

The judge declined to send Daniel Frisiello to prison, as prosecutors had sought, because of concerns the 25-year-old Beverly resident, who is developmentally disabled, would not respond well to incarceration. But he stressed the sentence wasn’t “lenient.”

“Do not underestimate how serious I am treating your crimes,” Judge Nathaniel Gorton said to Frisiello as the dozens of his family members, friends and supporters who packed the court proceeding hugged, cried and sighed in relief.

Frisiello, who pleaded guilty in October to sending the threatening letters, thanked Gorton for not imprisoning him.

Prosecutors say Frisiello sent a letter to Donald Trump Jr. that was opened in February by his now-estranged wife, Vanessa, at their New York City home. He also sent a white powder letter to Eric Trump during the 2016 presidential campaign.

Frisiello was also ordered to serve his first year of probation in home confinement and has been banned for the full five years from accessing the Internet or sending mail without prior approval. Frisiello also won’t be allowed to have a computer, tablet or other device with access to the Internet.