A former Georgia resident was arrested in New York after authorities accused him of sending death threats targeting Rep. Mike Collins and the Republican Senate candidate’s son-in-law.

Anthony Lantrell Bennett, a former Hampton resident who now lives in a Buffalo suburb, was arrested Friday and faces two felony counts of terroristic threats, according to the Butts County Sheriff’s Office.

The investigation began after Collins’ office reported an Instagram direct message sent to his son-in-law, David Allen Scheer II. Investigators allege the message threatened both Scheer and Collins, including a warning to Scheer that Bennett would “come to Jackson and smoke you.”

Butts County investigators worked with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and the FBI’s Buffalo Field Office after identifying Bennett as the suspected sender. Local investigators and a GBI agent traveled to New York as authorities prepared to execute a search warrant at Bennett’s residence.

Before the warrant was served, FBI agents monitoring the residence saw Bennett leave the property and arrested him without incident. Authorities said Bennett later acknowledged sending the message, telling investigators he became angry after viewing an Instagram story.

Bennett allegedly told investigators he never intended to carry out the threat and later acknowledged that sending it was a mistake. Butts County Sheriff Gary Long said the alleged threat went beyond political disagreement.

“I understand politics and I understand the disagreements, but there’s a line that can’t be crossed,” Long said. “Threatening to kill a public official or his family members, that’s not politics. That’s a criminal act.”

The sheriff’s office provided additional security for Collins and his family while investigators pursued the case. Bennett is expected to face an extradition hearing in New York before being returned to Georgia.

Collins, a Republican congressman, is challenging Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff in Georgia’s 2026 Senate race. Ossoff’s campaign condemned the alleged threats, while Collins thanked the FBI, GBI and local authorities for their work.

“No American should have to worry that their home could be the next Butler, Pennsylvania or Utah Valley University,” Collins said in a statement, referencing recent attacks involving political figures.