Texas man pleads guilty to threatening Georgia public officials after 2020 election

A Texas man has pleaded responsible to threatening Georgia officers following the 2020 election, the U.S. Justice Division introduced Friday.

Chad Stark, 55, of Leander, Texas, pleaded responsible Thursday to at least one rely of speaking interstate threats after he was accused of posting threatening messages on Craigslist about killing authorities officers in Georgia. The cost carries a most penalty of 5 years in jail.

Prosecutors didn’t title the officers who have been threatened in federal courtroom paperwork.

Stark’s arrest was the primary by the Justice Division’s new Election Threats Process Drive amid a rising tide of violent threats in opposition to individuals who rely and safe the vote. The threats come after Former President Donald Trump made repeated unproven claims that election fraud price him the 2020 presidential election, main some supporters to focus on election officers and employees.

“All throughout this nation our fellow residents and neighbors, together with many retirees, select to function elections officers, ballot employees, and in different capacities to assist guarantee free and honest elections in america,” U.S. Legal professional Ryan Okay. Buchanan stated in a Friday assertion. “They serve out of a patriotic obligation and appreciation for our nation and deserve to take action with out concern of retaliation or threats of violence.”

The general public protection legal professional listed for Stark didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark.

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Related Press author Paul Weber in Austin contributed to this report.

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