An Alabama resident received a sentence of over a year in prison after he left aggressive voicemails aimed at two Georgia officials involved in the investigation and prosecution of former President Donald Trump regarding alleged election-related offenses. This announcement came from the Justice Department earlier this week.

A U.S. District Court judge in Georgia has sentenced Arthur Ray Hanson II, from Huntsville, Alabama, to 21 months in federal prison. The threats were made in August 2023 against Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis and Sheriff Patrick Labat. According to federal prosecutors, Hanson referred to Trump as “my president” in the voicemails he placed on the Fulton County Government customer service line and warned both officials of impending violence if they continued their investigations into Trump.

These threats were made just days before a Georgia grand jury charged Trump and 18 others under the state’s Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act for their attempts to overturn the 2020 election results in Georgia. Following the indictment, prosecutors indicated that both Willis and Labat had to enhance their security due to the threats they received.

U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan stated, “Public officials are tasked with enforcing our criminal laws, and anyone who threatens or intimidates them will face serious repercussions.”

Hanson’s sentencing reflects ongoing issues faced by attorneys, judges, and other officials involved in prosecuting or investigating political figures. Research from the Combating Terrorism Center at West Point noted in May that a preliminary analysis of 2023–2024 cases indicated that federal prosecutions of such threats are projected to reach unprecedented levels. They found that at least 75 individuals were arrested for making threats in 2023, with over 30 being “subject to federal prosecution” in the first quarter of 2024.

The researchers concluded, “Threats do not need to be acted upon beyond mere communication to effectively instill fear in victims and notably disrupt democratic processes. The threats made against public officials are significantly harming U.S. governance and deterring individuals from pursuing public office.”

Hanson issues warnings to attorney and sheriff

Federal prosecutors noted that on August 6, 2023, Hanson left a minute-long voicemail for both officials. He later confessed to law enforcement that his threats arose from his outrage at seeing Trump’s mugshot.

“If you think you can take a mugshot of my President Donald Trump and everything will be fine, you’re going to find out that after you take that mugshot, some serious repercussions are going to come your way,” Hanson warned Labat in his voicemail.

In court documents, it was revealed that Hanson used “racist, profane language” while making threats against both Willis and Labat, who are both Black.

“And you think just because you’re a law officer, that’s going to protect you? It won’t,” Hanson warned Willis. “Things will turn bad for you, and you will come to regret ever being born.”

Hanson’s defense team sought a lighter sentence, arguing that he had shown remorse and was drinking when he made the threats. They claimed that his previous guilty plea indicated he was taking responsibility for his actions.

According to his lawyers, “Mr. Hanson does not recall making the calls, but he does not contest having made them and takes full responsibility for his actions.”

This argument did not convince federal prosecutors, who emphasized in court filings that Hanson had a history of making threats that began in 2018, including a conviction for threatening a person and their employment over the phone.

Prosecutors also highlighted that Hanson threatened U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas a month after claiming he wouldn’t make further calls. On that occasion, he warned the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness that Mayorkas deserved hanging.

Prosecutors stressed the importance of general deterrence, stating, “It is crucial, especially during these divisive times, for others to understand that threats against public officials will lead to serious consequences, including imprisonment. Furthermore, this sentencing protects the public from Hanson’s potential to continue making threatening calls.”

Ultimately, U.S. District Judge J. P. Boulee sentenced Hanson to 21 months in prison, which will be followed by three years of supervised release.

Threats against public officials in political investigations

Hanson’s threats are not isolated incidents; similar threats have led to arrests or sentences against those harassing judges, lawyers, and law enforcement involved in prosecuting political figures.

There has been a notable increase in threats directed at those handling cases involving Trump.

Currently, the election case against Trump in Georgia is on hold pending an appeal concerning Willis’ potential disqualification as part of the racketeering case. Trump and eight other defendants are challenging the ruling by Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee, which allowed Willis to stay on the case despite allegations of misconduct and financial conflict.

In September, U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland reported an uptick in harassment incidents targeting Justice Department personnel since he assumed office.

In May, Marc Shultz from Chula Vista, California, was indicted by a federal grand jury for allegedly threatening Willis, having posted violent comments on YouTube about killing her “like a dog.”

Additionally, Abigail Jo Shry of Alvin, Texas, was arrested in August 2023 for reportedly threatening to kill a judge overseeing Trump’s prosecution. Just the week before, the FBI fatally shot Craig Robertson from Provo, Utah, while attempting to arrest him due to posts he had made.

There have been online threats against a Manhattan district attorney for bringing charges against Trump and President Joe Biden.

In July 2023, Adam Bies confessed to 14 counts of threatening federal officials. These threats came after FBI Director Christopher Wray criticized a rise in violent threats against the agency following the raid on Trump’s home and his Mar-a-Lago resort.

Researchers from West Point asserted that such threats highlight an increasing acceptance of violence and the extremism encountered by civic leaders. They urged security agencies to evaluate which groups are subjected to the most threats and to strengthen protective measures for those individuals against physical harm.

“If policymakers, law enforcement, and the public do not take action, the harm to governing systems is likely to escalate in the near future,” the researchers warned.