U.S. Attorney Peter D. Leary | U.S. Department of Justice
A former poll worker in Georgia, Nicholas Wimbish, has been indicted for allegedly mailing a bomb threat to a polling place in Jones County and providing false information to the FBI during their investigation. The indictment was issued by a federal grand jury on November 19.
Wimbish, 25, from Milledgeville, faces several charges including mailing a bomb threat, conveying false information about a bomb threat, sending a threatening letter, and making false statements to the FBI. If found guilty, he could face up to ten years in prison for the bomb threat charge and five years for each of the other charges. Sentencing will be determined by a federal district court judge who will consider various factors including U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.
The indictment states that while serving as a poll worker at the Jones County Elections Office on October 16, Wimbish had an altercation with a voter. Following this incident, it is alleged that he conducted online research about himself and sent a threatening letter to the Jones County Elections Superintendent under the guise of being from a "Jones County Voter." The letter contained threats against Wimbish and others involved in the election process.
The case is part of the Justice Department’s Election Threats Task Force initiative aimed at protecting election workers from threats and intimidation. This task force was launched in June 2021 by Attorney General Merrick B. Garland and Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco.
Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri announced these developments along with U.S. Attorney Peter D. Leary for the Middle District of Georgia and Acting Special Agent in Charge Sean Burke. The investigation is being handled by the FBI Atlanta Field Office with prosecution led by Trial Attorney Jacob R. Steiner and Assistant U.S. Attorney Will R. Keyes.
Anyone wishing to report threats or violent acts related to elections can contact their local FBI office or submit an online complaint through official channels provided by the FBI.
An indictment serves as an allegation; all individuals charged are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt in court.
