Delray Beach man accused of using social media accounts to intimidate voters during 2016 election...

Mackey is accused of violating a U.S. statute that makes it illegal for people to threaten or intimidate others from exercising any right secured to them by the Constitution, such as the right to vote.

Gerald Greenberg, a former Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Southern District of Florida, said speech that threatens or seeks to halt those rights is not protected by the First Amendment.

“You’re allowed to lie to convince someone not to vote for Hillary Clinton,” he said. “But you’re not allowed to lie to block someone from voting for Hillary Clinton.”

Mackey’s charges stem from New York, where he previously lived before moving to Delray Beach in 2018, according to public records. Mackey was arrested in his home on Wednesday and later released on $50,000 bond.