A Texas man pleaded guilty today in the Northern District of Georgia to posting a message online threatening several Georgia state officials after the 2020 election.
“This case represents another destructive example of the threat of violence against the voting community and law enforcement,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “The Department will not tolerate the criminal prosecution of the men and women responsible for administering our elections and ensuring that every eligible voter has the opportunity to exercise the most fundamental right of our democracy: the right to vote.”
According to court documents, around January 5, 2021, Chad Christopher Stark, 55, of Leander, posted a message to Craigslist titled, “Georgia Patriots time to kill.” [Official A] the Chinese agent — $10,000.” The message included: “It’s time to invoke our Second Amendment right, it’s time to put a bullet in the face of the traitorous Chinese.” [Official A]. Then we work our way down [Official B] the local and federal corrupt judges. As American patriots, it is our duty to end the lives of these traitors and take back our country by force. . . . If we want our country back, we have to exterminate these people. A good loyal Patriot stag hunter in camouflage and with a rifle can send a very clear message to those corrupt governors. Milita in Georgia, it’s time to shed blood. we have to pay a visit [Official C] and her family and put a bullet behind her ears. Remember one thing: Local law enforcement – the key word is “local”… We will find you as an oath breaker and pay your family to visit your mother, father, brothers and sisters, your children, your wife… We will make an example of our country’s traitors…death to you and all your communist friends.”
“Across the country, our fellow citizens and neighbors, including many retirees, are choosing to serve as poll workers, poll workers and in other capacities to ensure free and fair elections in the United States. They are serving out of patriotic duty and appreciation for our nation and deserve to do so without fear of retaliation or threats of violence,” said US Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia Ryan K. Buchanan. “Heavily threatened officials at all levels of the electoral process, including elected officials and a volunteer poll worker. His egregious behavior endangered our democracy and went to the heart of the process that we believe is protected from such attacks. Our office will continue to work steadfastly with federal, state and local agencies to protect those working to secure our elections.”
“Today’s admission of guilt clearly demonstrates that anyone who threatens poll workers online will be investigated by the FBI and held accountable for their words,” said FBI Assistant Criminal Investigation Director Luis Quesada. “We must take calls for violence seriously, in whatever form, especially when they have the potential to cause physical harm and undermine the integrity of the US election.”
Stark today pleaded guilty to one count of sending a threat through a telecommunications device. He faces a maximum sentence of two years in prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set. A federal district court judge will determine the sentence based on US sentencing guidelines and other legal factors.
The FBI field office in Atlanta is investigating the case.
Sean F. Mulryne, director of election crime enforcement and litigation for the Public Integrity Division of the Criminal Division, and Brent A. Gray, Senior Litigation Counsel for the Northern District of Georgia are following this case.
This case is part of the Justice Department’s Election Threat Task Force. Announced by Attorney General Merrick B. Garland and created in June 2021 by Assistant Attorney General Lisa O. Monaco, the task force has guided the Department’s efforts to counter threats of violence against poll workers and ensure that all poll workers — whether elected, appointed or volunteer – Can do their job free from threats and intimidation. The Task Force works with the voting community and state and local law enforcement agencies to evaluate allegations and reports of threats against poll workers and has investigated and prosecuted these matters in cooperation with FBI field offices and U.S. Attorney’s offices across the country as appropriate. Two years after its inception, the task force continues this work, assisting US Attorneys’ offices and FBI field offices across the country in continuing the important work the task force began.
Led by Assistant Attorney General Monaco, the task force is led by the Public Integrity Division of the Criminal Division and includes several other units within the Department of Justice, including the Criminal Division’s Computer Crimes and Intellectual Property Division, the Civil Rights Division, the National Security Division and the FBI, as well as key interagency partners such as the Department of Homeland Security and the US Postal Inspection Service. For more information on the Justice Department’s efforts to counter threats against poll workers, see the assistant attorney general’s memo.
To report suspected threats or acts of violence, contact your local FBI office and ask to speak to the Voting Crimes Coordinator. Contact information for each FBI field office can be found at www.fbi.gov/contact-us/field-offices/. You can 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 forwarded for appropriate investigation or response. If anyone is in immediate danger or at risk of harm, contact 911 or the local police immediately.
