Justice Department warns of election misinformation

PHOENIX — There is more fallout from threats made against Arizona elections officials, as the Justice Department announced Monday an Ohio man will serve two and a half years in prison.

The department’s Elections Threats Task Force says they have been involved in at least 20 prosecutions and are investigating dozens more threats nationwide.

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“This new era in which elections officials are scapegoated, targeted and attacked is unconscionable,” said John Keller, head of the task force.

Calling elections workers “first responders of democracy…” federal prosecutors vowed to continue pursuing every threat reported to their office.

“It cannot be overstated. The work of election officials, their staffs and volunteers is essential to our democracy and any threat to these public servants is completely unacceptable,” said Akil Davis, FBI Phoenix Special Agent in Charge.

In this latest sentencing, 44-year-old Joshua Russell pleaded guilty after evidence showed he sent messages before and after the 2022 election threatening to kill Katie Hobbs, who was then serving as Secretary of State.

“There is a common denominator in many of these cases, election denialists announcing an attempt to violently punish those who they believe have wronged them,” said U.S. Attorney of Arizona Gary M. Restaino.

One message from Russell stated, “You’re the enemy of the United States, you’re a traitor to this country, and you better put your… affairs in order… your days… are extremely numbered… you will pay with your life.”

Keller said Monday that political debate should be robust. But he said free speech becomes criminal when it amounts to a “serious expression… that the speaker means to commit acts of violence.”

“Death threats are not debate. Death threats do not contribute to the marketplace of ideas. Death threats are not first amendment-protected speech,” Keller said, adding that elections officials in Arizona have received an “onslaught of hostility” since 2020.

Restaino said it will require a community-wide approach to combat misinformation that often incites threats. He said nonprofits and the State Bar of Arizona will play a role in educating attorneys and the public about election processes in the coming months. He also addressed journalists.

“We look to you to report the facts. We look to the community to call out their friends and neighbors who are going down the rabbit hole of misinformation to help people not fall victim to it,” Restaino said.

The FBI is asking everyone to be vigilant about what they see online or in person this election season and contact law enforcement. 

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