A Texas man is facing federal charges after being arrested for allegedly making election-related threats against government officials in a Craigslist post on Jan. 5, 2021.
Chad Stark, 54, of Leander, Tex., was arrested Jan. 21 by the FBI, the U.S. Department of Justice announced the same day. Stark's arrest is the first criminal case brought by the DOJ's Election Threats Task Force, which was announced this past June by Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. Deputy Attorney General Lisa O. Monaco leads the task force.
Stark is charged with one count of communicating interstate threats related to his Craigslist post entitled “Georgia Patriots it’s time to kill [Official A] the Chinese agent - $10,000.” In the post, Stark made multiple death threats against state government officials, election workers, law enforcement and their families. He also called upon "American Patriots" to "exterminate these people," saying "it’s time to spill blood," according to the DOJ.
U.S. Attorney Kurt R. Erskine for the Northern District of Georgia said in the announcement that such threats of violence jeopardize U.S. democracy.
“The intimidation of those in charge of carrying out free and fair elections in this country is against the law and cannot go unchecked,” Erskine said.
FBI Director Christopher Wray said in the announcement that Stark’s arrest demonstrated the agency’s commitment to take seriously any threats of violence against anyone participating in an election.
“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," Wray said.
The Election Threats Task Force investigates threats of violence against election workers, the DOJ states. The task force works with state and local law enforcement and election officials to assess reports of threats. It investigates and prosecutes cases as appropriate and in partnership with FBI field offices and U.S. attorneys general throughout the country, the DOJ reports.
“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,” Garland said in the arrest announcement. “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.”
According to the DOJ, Stark faces up to five years in federal prison if convicted.
