A man has been indicted in connection with threats made against an employee of the Augusta National Golf Club. Joseph Armand Zimmer, a 48-year-old from North Dakota, faces charges of Threats in Interstate Communication, as noted by Acting U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia, Tara M. Lyons. Zimmer was arrested on April 8, 2025, in Las Vegas, Nevada, and made an initial court appearance in Nevada on April 9. He is expected to appear in the Southern District of Georgia to address the charges.
According to Acting U.S. Attorney Lyons, "Those who make threats against members of our community in violation of federal law will be held accountable, as we continue to work with our law enforcement partners to identify and bring to justice those who seek to intimidate and instill fear in our citizens."
Zimmer allegedly made a threatening phone call on February 18, 2025, to someone at the Augusta National Golf Club, during which he reportedly made violent threats. These included statements that he would “throw [the individual] in a cell and have [her] set on fire,” and that he would “blow [her] head off.”
If convicted, Zimmer faces a potential sentence of up to 5 years in prison, noting that the federal system does not allow parole.
Paul Brown, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta, emphasized the seriousness of the situation, stating, "The FBI treats threatening communications with the utmost seriousness and will dedicate all available resources to locating and prosecuting those responsible for such actions." He added, "We trust that this indictment sends a clear message to anyone contemplating making threats, whether genuine or fabricated, through electronic means."
The case remains under investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Patricia G. Rhodes. It is important to remember that criminal indictments are charges, and all defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.