Alabama man who threatened Georgia DA Fani Willis sentenced 21 months in prison
An Alabama man was sentenced to more than a year in prison after he left threatening voicemails against two Georgia officials who are investigating and prosecuting former President Donald Trump for possible election crimes, the Justice Department announced this week.
A U.S. District Court judge in Georgia sentenced Arthur Ray Hanson II, of Huntsville, Alabama, to 21 months in federal prison for phoning the threats in August 2023 against Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis and Sheriff Patrick Labat. Federal prosecutors said Hanson referred to Trump as "my president" in the calls left at the Fulton County Government customer service line and warned the two officials they would face violence if they didn't stop investigating Trump.
Hanson made the threats nearly one week before Trump and 18 others were indicted by a Georgia grand jury on the state's Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act in attempting to overthrow Georgia's results of the 2020 election for Trump. Federal prosecutors said Willis and Labat increased security for themselves and their families due to threats since the indictment.
“Public servants have a responsibility to enforce our criminal laws, and anyone who threatens to harm or intimidate them will face the consequences of their actions,” U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan, said.
Hanson's sentencing is the latest development in attorneys, judges and other officials face in prosecuting or investigating politicians. Researchers at the Combating Terrorism Center at West Point said in May that a preliminary review of cases from 2023 to 2024 showed federal prosecutions of these threats are "on pace to hit new record highs." The researchers found at least 75 people were arrested for making threats in 2023, and more than 30 were "subject to federal prosecution" in the first quarter of 2024.
"Threats do not need to be executed beyond communication for them to be effective agents for instilling fear among victims and, most notably, disrupting democratic processes," researchers found. "Threats to public officials are currently generating substantial damage related to U.S. governance, including discouraging individuals from running for public office."
Man warns attorney, sheriff about impending deaths
Federal prosecutors said Hanson left a minute-long voicemail for both officials on Aug. 6, 2023. Hanson admitted to law enforcement the threats came out of frustration from seeing Trump's mugshot.
"If you think you gonna take a mugshot of my President Donald Trump and it's gonna be ok, you gonna find out that after you take that mugshot, some bad s---'s probably gonna happen to you," Hanson said in a voicemail for Labat.
According to court papers, Hanson used "racist, expletive-filled language" when he threatened both Willis and Labat. Both officials are Black.
"And you think because you’re a -a officer of the law that’s gonna protect you, it’s not," Hanson said in a voicemail for Willis. "It’s gonna be bad, and you’re gonna regret the day you were ever [expletive]ing born ok."
Hanson's attorneys requested a lesser sentence as he showed remorse for making the threats and was drinking at the time. They said his previous guilty plea of making threats showed him taking responsibility for the calls.
"Mr. Hanson does not remember making the telephone calls; however, he does not deny making them and accepts full responsibility for his actions," his lawyers said in court papers.
That didn't sway federal prosecutors. They said in court documents Hanson has a history of making threats dating back to 2018. In that case, he was convicted of calling a business several times and threatening harm to a person and their job.
Federal prosecutors added Hanson threatened U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas a month after telling officers he wouldn't make more calls. In that call, he told the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness that Mayorkas should be hanged, prosecutors said.
"The need to provide general deterrence is particularly important in these polarized times, so others know that when they threaten public officials, they will face serious punishment that includes time in prison time," federal prosecutors said in court filings. "In addition, this time in prison will protect the public from Hanson continuing to make threatening calls."
U.S. District Judge J. P. Boulee ultimately sentenced Hanson to 21 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release.
Public officials face threats for investigating politicians
Hanson's threatening messages aren't the first in the nation. Several people have been arrested or sentenced for making violent threats against judges, attorneys and law enforcement who prosecute politicians.
The threats have escalated against those who are dealing with cases involving Trump.
The election case against Trump in Georgia is on hold until an appeal seeking Willis' disqualification from the racketeering case is resolved. Trump and eight defendants want to overturn Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee's ruling that allowed Willis to remain on the case despite allegations of misconduct and financial conflict of interest.
In September, U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland said Justice Department staff have faced an escalation of bullying attacks since he took reign.
In May, Marc Shultz of Chula Vista, California, was indicted by a federal grand jury for allegedly threatening Willis. Federal prosecutors said Shultz posted comments on YouTube videos threatening to kill Willis "like a dog."
Abigail Jo Shry of Alvin, Texas, was arrested in August 2023 for allegedly threatening to kill a judge overseeing the prosecution of Trump. The week prior, the FBI shot and killed Craig Robertson of Provo, Utah, when attempting to arrest him for posting threats on social media against a Manhattan district attorney who charged Trump and President Joe Biden.
In July 2023, Adam Bies pleaded guilty to 14 counts of making threats against federal officers. He made the threats after FBI Director Christopher Wray condemned a surge of violent threats against the agency following its raid of Trump's residence and Mar-a-Lago club.
West Point researchers said threats represent a swelling tolerance for violence and the extremism civic leaders face. They recommended security agencies review which sectors face the most frequent threats, and harden measures to keep those employees safe from physical violence.
"Without a concerted intervention by policymakers, law enforcement, and the public, the damage to governing systems will likely only increase in the foreseeable future," researchers said.
Contact reporter Krystal Nurse at knurse@USATODAY.com. Follow her on X, formerly Twitter,@KrystalRNurse.