Alabama man Arthur Ray Hanson II was sentenced to 21 months in federal prison for leaving threatening voicemails against Georgia officials Fani Willis and Patrick Labat who are investigating former President Trump for election crimes. Hanson referred to Trump as “my president” and warned violence if they continued investigating him. The threats were made before Trump and 18 others were indicted in Georgia for attempting to overturn the 2020 election results. Hanson’s sentencing is part of a trend where public officials face threats for investigating politicians, with researchers noting a rise in threats against public officials. Hanson’s attorneys claimed he was drinking at the time and showed remorse, but federal prosecutors argued for a harsh sentence due to his history of making threats. Other individuals across the country have also been arrested or sentenced for threats against officials involved in the investigation of Trump. The threats against prosecutors and officials highlight a growing intolerance for violence against public servants, prompting researchers to recommend increased security measures for government employees. Despite the increase in threats, the Justice Department remains committed to prosecuting individuals who target public officials.
Photo credit
www.usatoday.com