A Philadelphia resident was sentenced on Mar. 31 to 10 months in prison and ordered to pay a $5,000 fine after being convicted of threatening to kill a Pennsylvania poll watcher, according to United States Attorney Troy Rivetti.
The case highlights the ongoing concern about threats made against election workers and the measures law enforcement is taking in response. Chief United States District Judge Cathy Bissoon also ordered John Courtney Pollard, age 63, to serve one year of supervised release following his prison term.
According to information presented in court, Pollard sent four iMessages within ten minutes on September 6, 2024, targeting Victim 1—a Regional Election Integrity Director who had posted online seeking volunteers for poll observation. After initially expressing interest in being a poll watcher and using the victim's first name, Pollard proceeded with three explicit threats: "I will KILL YOU IF YOU DON’T ANSWER ME!", "Your days are numbered, B****!", and "GONNA F***ING FIND YOU AND SKIN YOU ALIVE AND USE YOUR SKIN FOR F***ING TOILET PAPER, YOU F***ING KKK**T!"
“This prosecution, and the Court’s sentence of incarceration in the Bureau of Prisons, sends a clear and unmistakable message that threats against election workers and other public servants will be met with swift, certain, and just punishment,” said United States Attorney Rivetti. “Our office and our law enforcement partners remain committed to protecting free and fair elections.”
FBI Pittsburgh Special Agent in Charge Richard Evanchec said: “Among the FBI’s highest priorities is protecting the freedom and integrity of our election system. Threatening those tasked with upholding this process by weaponizing fear carries very real consequences. Our country relies on free and fair elections, and the FBI and our partners will hold accountable anyone who thinks they can impact it.”
An impact statement from Victim 1 described how Pollard’s messages led to “a year-long ordeal filled with fear and constant vigilance” for them. The statement urged that there should be “zero tolerance for making death threats against anyone,” especially those serving civic roles.
Before sentencing Pollard, Judge Bissoon noted that while he lacked prior criminal history or record of violence—and accepted responsibility—the seriousness of his actions required more than probation due to their effect on public safety. She stated that “political violence is real,” emphasizing that such death threats would not be tolerated.
Assistant United States Attorney Nicole A. Stockey prosecuted the case.
