Gainesville Man Convicted for Making Threats Against Roanoke Federal Credit Union

ROANOKE, Va. – A Gainesville, Virginia man, who threatened to “blow-up Roanoke” and to rape and kill two credit union employees, was convicted last week of making threats in interstate commerce following a two-day trial.

Brandon Hayward, 35, was convicted of two counts of knowingly transmitting in interstate commerce threats to injure two employees of the InFirst Federal Credit Union.

According to evidence presented at trial, on August 15, 2022, Hayward called the InFirst Federal Credit Union customer service line with a complaint about his account. Unsatisfied with the assistance he was receiving, he proceeded to threaten two different employees of the credit union.

Hayward specifically threatened to rape and kill Victim 1, adding that he was going to get his shotgun. Hayward further threatened to find Victim 1 by searching for her last name and stated, “You think you’re safe in Roanoke; you’re not.” Hayward later threatened to come to Victim 2’s home and rape her. Both victims had prior experience with Hayward in the course of their employment with InFirst.

At sentencing, Hayward faces a maximum statutory penalty of up to five years in federal prison.

United States Attorney Christopher R. Kavanaugh of the Western District of Virginia made the announcement.

The Department of Homeland Security and Federal Protective Service investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kristin B. Johnson and Lee Brett are prosecuting the case for the United States.