The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Philadelphia released the below information yesterday:
An indictment was unsealed today charging a Pennsylvania man
with threatening to kill a representative of a state political party who was
recruiting official poll watchers.
According to
the indictment, on Sept. 6, John Pollard, 62, of Philadelphia, sent threatening
text messages to Victim 1. Victim 1 had previously posted online, in Victim 1’s
capacity as an employee of a state political party, that Victim 1 was
recruiting volunteers to “help" observe at the polls on Election Day” and
included Victim 1’s phone number. Pollard allegedly texted Victim 1 that
he was “interested in being a poll watcher” and included Victim 1’s first name.
Pollard then allegedly texted three threats to Victim 1:
- “I will KILL YOU IF YOU DON’T ANSWER ME!”
- “Your days are numbered, B****!”
- “GONNA F***ING FIND YOU AND SKIN YOU ALIVE AND
USE YOUR SKIN FOR F***ING TOILET PAPER, YOU F***ING KKK**T!”
Pollard was
arrested today and appeared in federal court in Philadelphia. He is charged
with one count of transmitting 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.
Principal
Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice
Department’s Criminal Division, and U.S. Attorney Eric G. Olshan for the
Western District of Pennsylvania made the announcement.
The FBI
Pittsburgh Field Office is investigating the case.
Trial Attorney
Jacob R. Steiner of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section (PIN) and
Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicole A. Stockey for the Western District of
Pennsylvania are prosecuting the case, with assistance from the U.S. Attorney’s
Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.
This case is
part of the Justice Department’s Election Threats Task Force. Announced by
Attorney General Merrick B. Garland and launched by Deputy Attorney General
Lisa Monaco in June 2021, the task force has led 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 task force engages with the
election community and state and local law enforcement to assess allegations
and reports of threats against election workers, and has investigated and
prosecuted these matters where appropriate, in partnership with FBI Field
Offices and U.S. Attorneys’ Offices throughout the country. Three years after
its formation, the task force is continuing this work and supporting the U.S.
Attorneys’ Offices and FBI Field Offices nationwide as they carry on the
critical work that the task force has begun.
Under the leadership of Deputy Attorney General Monaco, the task force is led by PIN and includes several other entities within the Justice Department, including the Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section, Civil Rights Division, National Security Division, and FBI, as well as key interagency partners, such as the Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Postal Inspection Service. For more information regarding the Justice Department’s efforts to combat threats against election workers, read the Deputy Attorney General’s memo
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 www.fbi.gov/contact-us/field-offices/ou may also contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (225-5324) or file an online complaint at www.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.
An
indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until
proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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