FBI: 2 Pa. men harassed Palin family, legal team

In this Tuesday, May 3, 2011 file photo provided by the subject, Shawn Christy, a 19-year-old Pennsylvania man stands in front of a sign in his hometown of McAdoo, Pa. The FBI said Thursday, Aug. 18, 2011 Craig Christy and his son, Shawn Christy were arrested on charges of harassing Sarah Palin's family and lawyers. (AP Photo/Craig Christy, File)
In this Tuesday, May 3, 2011 file photo provided by the subject, Shawn Christy, a 19-year-old Pennsylvania man stands in front of a sign in his hometown of McAdoo, Pa. The FBI said Thursday, Aug. 18, 2011 Craig Christy and his son, Shawn Christy were arrested on charges of harassing Sarah Palin's family and lawyers. (AP Photo/Craig Christy, File) (AP)
By Michael Hinkelman, Daily News Staff Writer
Posted: August 18, 2011

A father and son were arrested by the FBI in Allentown this morning on charges of making harassing phone calls to former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin's family, lawyers and the lawyers' employees.

Craig Christy and his son Shawn, of McAdoo, Schuylkill County, were arrested without incident just after 11 a.m., according to an FBI statement.

Both men were to have initial appearances in federal magistrate court in Allentown later this afternoon.

It was unclear whether Palin herself received any calls from the Christys.

The announcement said indictments for the Christys were returned by a federal grand jury in Alaska on Wednesday.

The indictment alleges that between Aug. 1 and 9 of this year both men repeatedly placed phone calls with an intent to harass.

Palin, the 2008 Republican vice-presidential nominee, her father, and her friend, Kristan Cole, requested restraining orders against Shawn Christy last year, saying he threatened them, sent a receipt for a gun purchase, and said he was buying a one-way ticket to Alaska.

Temporary restraining orders were issued against the Christys in April.

Shawn Christy has said a few dozen e-mails he sent to Palin's office were "stupid pranks" to get attention. His life is difficult because he suffers from complications from Lyme disease, he said.

He also acknowledged sending threatening messages in 2009 to President Obama and to Republican Sen. John McCain, who chose Palin as his running mate in the 2008 presidential race.

Contact Michael Hinkelman at hinkelm@phillynews.com or on Twitter @MHinkelman.

The Associated Press contributed to this article.

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