An Alabama man, Arthur Ray Hanson II, was sentenced to 21 months in federal prison for leaving threatening voicemails against Georgia officials investigating former President Donald Trump for election crimes. Hanson warned District Attorney Fani Willis and Sheriff Patrick Labat to stop investigating Trump or face violence in the calls made in August 2023. The threats came before Trump and others were indicted by a Georgia grand jury for trying to overturn the state’s 2020 election results.
Federal prosecutors stated that threats against public officials have increased, with at least 75 people arrested for making threats in 2023. This trend is disrupting democratic processes and discouraging others from running for public office. Hanson had a history of making threats, dating back to 2018, and was convicted of making similar calls to a business.
Hanson’s attorneys argued for a lesser sentence due to his remorse and alcohol use at the time of the threats. However, federal prosecutors emphasized the need for deterrence to prevent future threats against public officials. U.S. District Judge J. P. Boulee ultimately sentenced Hanson to 21 months in prison.
The threat against officials investigating Trump is part of a larger trend of escalating threats against judges, attorneys, and law enforcement involved in cases against politicians. This includes other incidents across the country where individuals have made violent threats against officials handling cases related to Trump. Researchers at West Point recommend increased security measures to protect public servants from physical violence in the face of growing threats.
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