An Alabama man indicted for threatening poll workers in Maricopa County, Arizona, pleaded guilty Thursdayaccording to the Department of Justice.
Brian Ogstad sent multiple messages via social media to county election workers during the 2022 primary, sometimes threatening to kill the workers for being “frauds” and “frauds.”
Maricopa County, a key district in the state, attracted national attention following the 2020 election when then-President Trump’s administration alleged there was widespread voter fraud that led to his defeat. A GOP-led review found in September 2021 that there was no support for stolen election claims.
“The functioning of our democracy requires that our nation’s public servants be able to do their jobs without fearing for their lives,” said U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland in response to the conviction.
“We do not tolerate this type of heinous criminal conduct and the danger it poses to people’s safety and our democratic process. Threats and acts of violence against those who serve the public will be met with the full force of the United States Department of Justice.”
Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco launched the Election Threats Task Force in June 2021 to address what she termed a “significant increase in the threat of violence against Americans who administer free and fair elections across our nation.”
The U.S. attorney’s office worked closely with the FBI to prosecute threats against workers.
“The FBI takes all threats of violence against public officials seriously and will continue to pursue threats and acts of violence against election workers,” said FBI Director Christopher Wray.
Ogstad is scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 21 and faces up to five years in prison, according to the Justice Department.
“In an intensified political climate, people often make comments online that they wish they could take down,” said Todd Spodek, Ogstad’s attorney. told CNN after the plea deal was reached. “Unfortunately, Mr. Ogstad let his emotions get the best of him and sent a series of messages that he regrets.”
This story originally appeared on thehill.com read the full story
