PHOENIX — An Alabama man is behind bars for allegedly threatening Maricopa County election workers and officials following the 2022 Arizona governor’s race.
Brian Jerry Ogstad, 59, was taken into custody on Wednesday after an indictment against him was unsealed, according to a news release from the United States Department of Justice.
He is charged with five counts of communicating an interstate threat.
Ogstad, of Cullman, Alabama, is accused of using social media to threaten the lives of poll workers and make false allegations of voter fraud in Arizona.
Akil Davis, the special agent in charge of the FBI Phoenix Field Office, called threats of this nature “unacceptable."
“The work of election officials, their staffs, and volunteers is essential to our democracy,” Davis said.
Acting Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri echoed what Davis said, saying election workers must be able to do their jobs without fear.
“Ogstad allegedly made a number of threats to election workers and officials, including that they were ‘dead’ and ‘stupid if you think your lives are safe,’” said Argentieri in the release.
The document detailed messages sent by Ogstad to the Maricopa County elections office’s Instagram account on or about Aug. 3, 2022.
They are as follows:
- “You did it! Now you are [expletive]. Dead. You will all be executed for your crimes”
- “[expletive] you! You are caught! They have it all. You [expletive] are dead”
- “You are lying, cheating [expletive] . . . you better not come in my church, my business or send your kids to my school. You are [expletive] stupid if you think your lives are safe”;
- “You [expletive] are so dead.” On or about Aug. 4, 2022, Ogstad also allegedly stated “[Y]ou people are so ducking [sic] stupid. Everyone knows you are lots [sic], cheats, frauds and in doing so in relation to elections have committed treason. You will all be executed. Bang [expletive]!”
Ogstand made his first appearance in federal court in Huntsville, Alabama, on Wednesday following his arrest.
If convicted, Ogstad faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison on each of the five counts he has been charged with.
“The Criminal Division will continue to aggressively investigate and prosecute those who target election officials and workers with threats of violence,” said Argentieri.
More information
To report suspected threats or violent acts directed at poll workers, contact your local FBI office and request to speak with the Election Crimes Coordinator.
Contact information for every FBI field office may be found here.
You may also contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (225-5324).
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