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An Alabama man has pleaded guilty to leaving threatening phone messages for Fulton County government officials. The threats were made in August 2023, shortly before the indictment of former President Donald Trump and others for alleged attempts to overturn the 2020 election results in Georgia.
What’s the deal: According to prosecutors, Arthur Ray Hanson II of Huntsville, Alabama, left threatening voicemails to both District Attorney Fani Willis and Fulton County Sheriff Patrick Labat.
What Hanson said: In a voicemail to Willis, Hanson said, “When you charge Trump on that fourth indictment, anytime you’re alone, be looking over your shoulder. What you put out there, bitch, comes back at you 10 times harder, and don’t ever forget it.” In a voicemail to Sheriff Patrick Labat, he said, “If you take a mug shot of the president and you’re the reason it happened, some bad shit is gonna happen to you.”
Remorse: While pleading guilty in court, Hansen apologized for the threatening voicemails. He told the judge, “I made a stupid phone call, I’m not a violent person.”
What Hansen is looking at: The Assistant U.S. Attorney indicated that the prosecution would seek leniency due to Hanson’s acceptance of responsibility. He faces up to five years in prison for each count of transmitting interstate threats.
FBI statement: Keri Farley, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta, said, “Threats against public servants are not only illegal but also a threat against our democratic process. The FBI’s mission is to protect the American people and uphold the Constitution. We take this responsibility very seriously and seek to punish those who engage in this type of criminal behavior, and to send the message that such conduct will not be tolerated.”
