An Ohio man, Joshua Russell, has been sentenced to two and a half years in prison for sending death threats to an election official in the Arizona Secretary of State’s Office during Arizona’s primary and general elections. The threats were made between Aug. 2, 2022, and Nov. 15, 2022, through a series of voicemails.
Attorney General Merrick B. Garland emphasized the importance of protecting election workers, stating, "If you threaten violence against the public servants who administer our elections, there will be consequences."
Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri condemned Russell's actions, highlighting that "The defendant made multiple death threats against an Arizona election official during the state’s elections. This conduct is an attack on the democratic process itself."
U.S. Attorney Gary M. Restaino for the District of Arizona praised the swift response to the threats, stating, "Thorough reporting leads to prompt charging and timely deterrence of those who would disrupt democracy."
Russell pleaded guilty to one count of making a threatening interstate communication in August 2023. The FBI Phoenix Field Office, with assistance from the FBI Boston Field Office, investigated the case.
The Justice Department’s Election Threats Task Force, established to address threats of violence against election workers, has been actively involved in prosecuting cases like Russell's. The task force aims to ensure that all election workers can perform their duties without fear of intimidation or violence.
The case against Russell serves as a reminder that threats against election officials will be taken seriously and prosecuted accordingly. The Justice Department continues to work towards safeguarding the electoral process and supporting election workers across the country.