Texas Man Arrested for Making Election-Related Threats to Government Officials –

Staff Report –

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The United States Department of Justice has pivoted in its investigation of the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol to arresting and charging alleged domestic terrorists who pose a continuing threat to elections.

In the first criminal case brought by the Election Threats Task Force, Chad Stark, 54, of Leander, Texas was arrested last week by the FBI and made his initial appearance at the federal courthouse in Austin, Texas. Stark is charged with one count of communicating interstate threats. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Attorney General Merrick Garland and Deputy Attorney General Lisa O. Monaco launched the task force in June 2021 to lead the department’s efforts to address threats of violence against election workers, and to ensure that all election workers — whether elected, appointed or volunteer — are able to do their jobs free from threats and intimidation.

“The Justice Department has a responsibility not only to protect the right to vote, but also to protect those who administer our voting systems from violence and illegal threats of violence,” Attorney General Garland said in making the announcement of the arrest. “The department’s Election Threats Task Force, working with partners across the country, will hold accountable those who violate federal law by using violence or threatening violence to target election workers fulfilling their public duties.”

The task force engages with the election community and state and local law enforcement to assess allegations and reports of threats against election workers, and investigates and prosecutes these matters in partnership with FBI field offices and U.S. Attorneys’ Offices throughout the country.

“Today’s arrest confirms the FBI’s commitment in our pursuit of justice against those who choose to threaten violence against anyone participating in our elections,” said FBI Director Christopher Wray. “Election workers striving to protect our right to a fair and democratic process deserve nothing less than the utmost safety and assurance they can accomplish their roles without interference. The FBI will continue to focus on our mission of protecting these individuals and the important work they do, as well as every American’s right to vote.”

According to Stark’s indictment, he allegedly posted a message to Craigslist on Jan. 5, 2021 under the headline, “Georgia Patriots it’s time to kill [Official A] the Chinese agent – $10,000.”

“Georgia Patriots it’s time for us to take back our state from these Lawless treasonous traitors,” the message stated. “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 we can no longer wait on the corrupt law enforcement in the corrupt courts. If we want our country back we have to exterminate these people.

“One good loyal Patriot deer hunter in camo and a rifle can send a very clear message to these corrupt governors.. milita up Georgia it’s time to spill blood…. we need to pay a visit to [Official C] and her family as well and put a bullet her behind the ears. Let’s be very clear to our local law enforcement who have stood down and watch BLM antifa destroy our country and kill our citizens yet you’ll step up to stop Patriot supporters you’ll enforce face mask and you’ll close American businesses???

“Remember one thing local law enforcement the key word being local….. we will find you oathbreakers and we’re going to pay your family to visit your mom your dad your brothers and sisters your children your wife… we’re going to make examples of traitors to our country… death to you and all you communist friends.”

“The intimidation of those in charge of carrying out free and fair elections in this country is against the law and cannot go unchecked,” said U.S. Attorney Kurt R. Erskine for the Northern District of Georgia. “When someone threatens an election official working at any level of the voting process – whether that be an elected office holder or a volunteer poll worker – our democracy is put in jeopardy. We are grateful to all of those who endeavor to secure our elections and our democracy. We must protect them all.”

Organized by Deputy Attorney General Monaco, the Election Threats Task Force is led by the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section and includes several other entities within the Department of Justice, including the Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section of the Criminal Division, the Civil Rights Division, the National Security Division and the FBI, as well as key interagency partners, such as the Department of Homeland Security. For more information regarding the Justice Department’s efforts to combat threats against election workers, read the Deputy Attorney General’s memo.

The FBI’s Atlanta Field Office is investigating the case.

Deputy Director Sean F. Mulryne of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Brent Alan Gray of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia are prosecuting the case.

Wilmington man pleads guilty to making online threats relating to his participation in U.S. Capitol riot

CINCINNATI, Ohio – In a similar case, a man from Wilmington, Ohio pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court to making interstate threats, a felony. The crime arises from his communications online related to his participation in the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol, according to a press release from the Department of Justice.

Justin Stoll, 41, was arrested on Jan. 15, 2021, by the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force.

According to court documents, Stoll used the username “Th3RealHuckleberry” on the app Clapper and on YouTube to post videos related to his participation in the Capitol riots.

Videos Stoll filmed at the Capitol show that he proceeded past police barricades that other rioters had torn down and yelled profanities at U.S. Capitol Police.

The government’s investigation has not yielded evidence suggesting that Stoll entered the Capitol building, engaged in acts of violence, or destroyed property.

When Stoll returned to the Southern District of Ohio, he uploaded the videos to social media.

Stoll received comments from other individuals in response to his YouTube videos, including from one user who said (s)he had saved Stoll’s video and suggested that Stoll might go to prison. Stoll responded via another video, in which he said, in part:

“Well, that shows your f—— ignorance because, clearly, the capitol building is owned by the people, so again, nothing will happen. Secondly, I never admitted I went into it, did I? Go watch the video again. Daddy’s not stupid. [Wink.] Third, if you ever in your f—— existence did something to jeopardize taking me away from my family, you will absolutely meet your maker. You can play that for the D.A. in court, I don’t care. If you ever jeopardize me, from being with my family, you will absolutely meet your mother f—— maker, and I will be the one to arrange the meeting.”

Stoll admitted as part of his guilty plea today that he posted the video for the purpose of making a threat.

Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, and J. William Rivers, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division, announced the plea entered into today before Senior U.S. District Judge Susan J. Dlott. Assistant United States Attorney Julie D. Garcia and Assistant Deputy Criminal Chief Timothy S. Mangan are representing the United States in this case.

To report suspected threats or violent acts, contact your local FBI office and request to speak with the Election Crimes Coordinator. Contact information for every FBI field office may be found at https://www.fbi.gov/contact-us/field-offices/. You may also contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (225-5324) or file an online complaint at tips.fbi.gov. Complaints submitted will be reviewed by the task force and referred for investigation or response accordingly. If someone is in imminent danger or risk of harm, contact 911 or your local police immediately.

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