The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) did not request pretrial detention for Penelope Convertino, the 22-year-old transgender individual accused of threatening to kill U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) in a voice mail, according to the Friday pretrial release order signed last week by U.S. Magistrate Barbara Holmes.
Holmes’ order states, written using a court document that was edited to include information specific to the case against Convertino, begins by confirming that the government did not request pretrial detention.
Convertino was instead released on personal recognizance, though is subject to a series of pretrial release conditions. Convertino will be detained at home, where the defendant will wear an ankle monitor, and may only leave for school, work, or church.
It is unclear whether Convertino is actively employed or pursuing higher education, but a Rutherford County Schools spokesman told The Tennessee Star earlier this week that Convertino worked for the district as a substitute teacher for five days in 2022. Tennessee does not require substitute teachers to obtain a teaching license or bachelor’s degree.
Holmes also ordered Convertino to, “participate in a mental health evaluation and/or treatment program,” if one should be required by the court’s pretrial services.
Convertino is also prohibited from possessing a weapon, using drugs, or excessively consuming alcohol, and will be subject to substance testing.
A handwritten portion of the order additionally states that Convertino is prohibited from having, “any contact, direct or indirect, with Senator Blackburn, her staff, or her offices,” and must not, “call, contact, or post on social media about any public official.”
The order additionally requires Convertino’s passport to be surrendered, and for any travel outside Middle Tennessee to be approved by the court.
Holmes made the decision to release Convertino on August 28, the same day the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced that Convertino was arrested for a death threat allegedly made in May.
Convertino allegedly said in a message left to Blackburn’s staff, “My name is mother**ker and I’m gonna kill Marsha Blackburn. I’m gonna shoot her with a gun. I’m gonna blow up her head on national TV. She will literally have brains splattered behind her because she will not be a person. She will be a dead f**king body.”
A source familiar with the family told The Tennessee Star earlier this week that Convertino is transgender, and understood the defendant was born a biological male but identifies as a transgender female.
Holmes is the same magistrate judge who recently agreed to the conditional pretrial release of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, who was previously detained in Tennessee as he awaited trial on federal human smuggling charges.
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Tom Pappert is the lead reporter for The Tennessee Star, and also reports for The Pennsylvania Daily Star and The Arizona Sun Times. Follow Tom on X/Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].
