(WWJ) — A Westland man is awaiting sentencing after admitting to sending "nonsensical, harassing, racist and threatening" emails to Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, including one in which he threatened to "assassinate the president or your governor."
Jason Tolonen, 51, pleaded no contest last week to one count each of using a computer to commit a crime and malicious use of a telecommunications service, Attorney General Dana Nessel announced Monday.
Tolonen sent the emails to Whitmer's constituent portal "for years," according to the AG's office.
Last November Michigan State Police executed a search warrant at Tolonen's home in Westland after getting word of the assassination threat.
Tolonen admitted to sending the messages, according to the AG's office.
Although he "refrained for several months," Nessel's office said he resumed sending similar emails this February.
"Elected officials deserve to serve Michiganders free of fear, and violent threats directed at public servants cannot be normalized," Nessel said, per a press release. "I commend Michigan State Police for taking these threats seriously, and my department remains committed to prosecuting these disturbing offenses."
Tolonen will be required to attend Alcoholics Anonymous and refrain from "repeated, unwanted contact with any individual, business, or governmental entity," a press release from Nessel's office said.
He must also submit to mental health and substance abuse evaluations and any recommendations will be incorporated into his sentence, according to the AG's office.
Tolonen is scheduled to be sentenced on June 12 in Wayne County's 18th District Court.
In 2019, Attorney General Nessel launched the Hate Crimes and Domestic Terrorism Unit. To report dangerous threats made against public officials, please contact your local police department first and then the Department of Attorney General via email or at 313-456-0040.
