A Central Texas man faces criminal prosecution for making online threats against Georgia officials and their families over the 2020 election.
According to prosecutors, 54-year-old Chad Stark of Leander used Craigslist on January 5th, 2021, and wrote a post threatening to kill what he called "lawless treasonous traitors."
"One good loyal Patriot deer hunter in camo and a rifle can send a very clear message to these corrupt governors.. militia up Georgia it's time to spill blood," Stark wrote.
Officials in Georgia were targeted after their Secretary of State refused to back former President Donald Trump's false claims of election fraud. The former president called Brad Raffensperger and urged him to overturn his defeat.
Former U.S. Attorney Matt Orwig notes this is the first criminal prosecution filed by the U.S. Department of Justice's Election Threats Task Force, formed after the 2020 election.
"The fact that there is a task force indicates that there is a lot of this going on," Orwig said. "And probably what they're doing is sorting through just a ton of statements that are made, in some cases threats."
In a statement, U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland wrote: "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. 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."
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.
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