An Iowa man pleaded guilty Thursday to sending a threatening communication to an election official with the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors and sending a threatening communication to an official with the Arizona Attorney General’s Office, the Justice Department said. .
According to court documents, around September 27, 2021, Mark A. Rissi, 64, of Hiawatha, said the following in a voicemail message he left for Clint Hickman, an election official with the Board of Supervisors of the Maricopa County: “Hello. Mr. Hickman, I’m glad he’s standing up for democracy and wants to put his hand on the Bible and say the election was honest and fair. I really appreciate that. When we come to lynch your stupid communist liar [improperio]you will remember that you lied in the [improperio] bible, piece of [improperio]. You’re going to die, piece of [improperio]. We are going to hang you. We’re going to hang you.”
Additionally, around December 8, 2021, Rissi said the following in a voicemail message left for then-Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich: “This message is for Attorney General Mark Brnovich. . . . I am the victim of a crime. My family is the victim of a crime. My extended family is the victim of a crime. That crime was the theft of the 2020 election. The election that was rigged throughout the state of Arizona, that the Attorney General knows was rigged, that the Attorney General has footage of the conspirators erasing voter fraud data from the computer system of the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors. Do your job, Brnovich, or you’ll be done with those [improperio] in the end. We’ll take care of it. Torches and pitchforks. That’s your future [improperio]. Do your work.”
“Public officials who administer the most fundamental aspect of our democracy, elections, must be able to do their jobs free from illegal threats,” said Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite, Jr. of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division.
“Our Election Threats Task Force, working with partners across the country, will continue to hold accountable those who unlawfully threaten poll workers,” he added.
“I am proud of the Arizona public servants who administer elections with integrity,” said United States Attorney Gary M. Restaino for the District of Arizona.
“When people speak at the polls, all Americans should respect their voices,” he said.
“As part of the FBI’s mission to defend the democratic process, we have the experience to respond to allegations of election interference, whether through fraud, cyber intrusion or, in this case, intimidation,” said Special Agent in Charge Akil. Davis of the FBI Phoenix Field Office.
Rissi pleaded guilty to two counts of making a threatening interstate communication.
He is scheduled to be sentenced on June 26 and faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison on each count.
