ATLANTA – Arthur Ray Hanson, II, was indicted by a federal grand jury in Atlanta on charges of communicating interstate threats to injure Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis and Fulton County Sheriff Patrick Labat for their ties to the investigation into Fulton County, Georgia, indicted former President Donald Trump. Hanson made his first appearance in federal court in Huntsville and will be formally arraigned on November 13, 2023 in Atlanta.
“Sending intergovernmental threats against prosecutors and law enforcement officers is a despicable act designed to interfere with the administration of justice and intimidate those who assume a solemn duty to protect and uphold the rights of citizens,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan . “When someone threatens to harm officers for doing their job enforcing our criminal laws, it potentially weakens the foundation of our society.” Our office will work tirelessly with our federal, state and local law enforcement partners to ensure that law enforcement officers are free to serve our communities without the threat of physical attack.”
“Threats against public officials are not only illegal, but they also pose a threat to our democratic process,” said Keri Farley, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. “The FBI’s mission is to protect the American people and uphold the Constitution. We take this responsibility very seriously and seek to punish those who engage in this type of criminal behavior and send the message that such behavior will not be tolerated.”
According to U.S. Attorney Buchanan, the indictment and other information presented in court: On August 6, 2023, Arthur Ray Hanson called the Fulton County government customer service number twice and left two voicemails – the first for Sheriff Labat and the second for District Attorney Willis . During both calls, Hanson threatened violence against the officers.
In his message to the sheriff, Hanson made the following statements, among other things: “If you think you’re going to take a mugshot of my President Donald Trump and everything will be okay, after you take that mugshot you’ll realize it’s a bad thing. “ [expletive]“This will probably happen to you;” “If you take a mugshot of the president and that’s the reason it happened, then that’s bad [expletive]“This will happen to you;” “I’m warning you about yourself now [expletive] Ruin your life and get hurt very badly;” “Whether you have one [expletive] Badge or no badge, this won’t help you;” and “You’ll get it [expletive]ed up you keep [expletive]with my president.”
In his message to the district attorney, Hanson made the following statements, among other things: “Be careful when you go to your car at night, when you go into your house, be careful everywhere you go.” “If I were you, I would be very afraid, because you can’t be around people protecting you all the time.” “There will be moments when you’re vulnerable.” “If you’re going to impeach Trump on this fourth count, look whenever you’re alone , over your shoulder.” and “what you brought out there, [expletive]come back to you ten times harder and never forget it.”
Arthur Ray Hanson, II, 59, of Huntsville, Alabama, was indicted on October 25, 2023. The public is reminded that the indictment contains only accusations. The defendant is presumed innocent of the charges, and it is the government’s responsibility to prove the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.
This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Assistant United States Attorneys Bret R. Hobson and Brent Alan Gray are prosecuting the case.
For further information, please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Office of Public Affairs at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.
