Two Men Plead Guilty In Election Threat Cases in Arizona, Georgia

Two men pleaded guilty on Thursday to two separate cases of threats to election officials following the 2020 elections, one in Arizona and one in Georgia.

In Georgia, Texan Chad Christopher Stark, 55, posted his threats online on Jan. 5, 2021. He posted threats to election officials, district and federal judges on Craigslist.

“Georgia Patriots it’s time to kill [Official A]," Stark wrote. "“It’s time to invoke our Second Amendment right it’s time to put a bullet in the treasonous Chinese [Official A]. Then we work our way down to [Official B] the local and federal corrupt judges. It’s our duty as American Patriots to put an end to the lives of these traitors and take back our country by force."

Stark's sentence has not yet been set, but he could face up to two years in prison. His case is being investigated by the FBI.

In Arizona, Joshua Russell, 44, from Ohio, left threatening voicemails for an election official with the Arizona Secretary of State’s Office. The first threat happened on Aug. 2, 2022, he date of Arizona’s primary elections.

"This message is for traitor [Victim-1’s full name]. You’ve drug your feet, you’ve done nothing, to protect our election for 2020," Russell said. "[...]  America’s coming for you, and you will pay with your life."

He also left two other voicemails in later occasions. The FBI is investigating the case, and Russell faces up to five years in prison.