Texas Man Arrested for Making Election-Related Threats to Government Officials

Gunnar Larson g at xny.io
Fri Jan 21 10:53:22 PST 2022


This type of stuff is scarry.

For example, for the recent disclosures made on the CypherPunk list, New
York could lock a guy up.

https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/texas-man-arrested-making-election-related-threats-government-officials

First Case Charged by Justice Department’s Election Threats Task Force

A Texas man was arrested today in Travis County, Texas, for allegedly
sending threatening election-related communications to government officials
on Jan. 5, 2021.

Chad Stark, 54, of Leander, was arrested this morning in a law enforcement
operation carried out by the FBI. He is scheduled to make his initial
appearance this afternoon at the federal courthouse in Austin, Texas.

This is the first criminal case brought by the Justice Department’s
Election Threats Task Force. Announced by Attorney General Merrick B.
Garland and launched by Deputy Attorney General Lisa O. Monaco in late June
2021, the task force is leading the department’s efforts to address threats
of violence against election workers, and to ensure that all election
workers — whether elected, appointed or volunteer — are able to do their
jobs free from threats and intimidation. The task force engages with the
election community and state and local law enforcement to assess
allegations and reports of threats against election workers, and
investigates and prosecutes these matters where appropriate, in partnership
with FBI field offices and U.S. Attorneys’ Offices throughout the country
as warranted.

“The Justice Department has a responsibility not only to protect the right
to vote, but also to protect those who administer our voting systems from
violence and illegal threats of violence,” said Attorney General Garland.
“The department’s Election Threats Task Force, working with partners across
the country, will hold accountable those who violate federal law by using
violence or threatening violence to target election workers fulfilling
their public duties.”

“Today’s arrest confirms the FBI’s commitment in our pursuit of justice
against those who choose to threaten violence against anyone participating
in our elections,” said FBI Director Christopher Wray. “Election workers
striving to protect our right to a fair and democratic process deserve
nothing less than the utmost safety and assurance they can accomplish their
roles without interference. The FBI will continue to focus on our mission
of protecting these individuals and the important work they do, as well as
every American’s right to vote.”

“The intimidation of those in charge of carrying out free and fair
elections in this country is against the law and cannot go unchecked,” said
U.S. Attorney Kurt R. Erskine for the Northern District of Georgia. “When
someone threatens an election official working at any level of the voting
process – whether that be an elected office holder or a volunteer poll
worker – our democracy is put in jeopardy. We are grateful to all of those
who endeavor to secure our elections and our democracy. We must protect
them all.”According to the indictment, on Jan. 5, 2021, Stark allegedly
posted a message to Craigslist entitled, “Georgia Patriots it’s time to
kill [Official A] the Chinese agent - $10,000.” The message stated:

Georgia Patriots it’s time for us to take back our state from these Lawless
treasonous traitors. It’s time to invoke our Second Amendment right it’s
time to put a bullet in the treasonous Chinese [Official A]. Then we work
our way down to [Official B] the local and federal corrupt judges. It’s our
duty as American Patriots to put an end to the lives of these traitors and
take back our country by force we can no longer wait on the corrupt law
enforcement in the corrupt courts. If we want our country back we have to
exterminate these people. One good loyal Patriot deer hunter in camo and a
rifle can send a very clear message to these corrupt governors.. milita up
Georgia it’s time to spill blood….  we need to pay a visit to [Official C]
and her family as well and put a bullet her behind the ears. Let’s be very
clear to our local law enforcement who have stood down and watch BLM antifa
destroy our country and kill our citizens yet you’ll step up to stop
Patriot supporters you’ll enforce face mask and you’ll close American
businesses??? Remember one thing local law enforcement the key word being
local…..  we will find you oathbreakers and we’re going to pay your family
to visit your mom your dad your brothers and sisters your children your
wife…  we’re going to make examples of traitors to our country…  death to
you and all you communist friends.

Organized by Deputy Attorney General Monaco, the Election Threats Task
Force is led by the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section and
includes several other entities within the Department of Justice, including
the Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section of the Criminal
Division, the Civil Rights Division, the National Security Division and the
FBI, as well as key interagency partners, such as the Department of
Homeland Security. For more information regarding the Justice Department’s
efforts to combat threats against election workers, read the Deputy
Attorney General’s memo.
<https://www.justice.gov/dag/page/file/1406286/download>

To report suspected threats or violent acts, contact your local FBI office
and request to speak with the Election Crimes Coordinator. Contact
information for every FBI field office may be found at
https://www.fbi.gov/contact-us/field-offices/. You may also contact the FBI
at 1-800-CALL-FBI (225-5324) or file an online complaint at tips.fbi.gov.
Complaints submitted will be reviewed by the task force and referred for
investigation or response accordingly. If someone is in imminent danger or
risk of harm, contact 911 or your local police immediately.

Stark is charged with one count of communicating interstate threats. If
convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison. A federal
district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S.
Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The FBI’s Atlanta Field Office is investigating the case.

Deputy Director Sean F. Mulryne of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity
Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Brent Alan Gray of the U.S. Attorney’s
Office for the Northern District of Georgia are prosecuting the case.

*An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed
innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.*

-- 
*Gunnar Larson - xNY.io <http://www.xNY.io> | Bank.org <http://Bank.org>*
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G at xNY.io
+1-646-454-9107
New York, New York 10001
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