Alabama man pleads guilty to threatening Fulton DA, sheriff in Trump case

“If you think you’re going to take a picture of my President Donald Trump and everything will be fine, you’ll find out that after you take that picture, bad (expletive) is probably going to happen to you,” Hanson said in the voicemail. , among other threatening statements.

The voicemail also said: “I’m warning you right now before I (expletive) end your life and hurt you really badly.” »

Credit: TNS

Credit: TNS

Five minutes later, Hanson called customer service again and left a voicemail for Willis.

“I would be very scared if I were you because you can’t be surrounded all the time by people who are going to protect you; there will be times when you will be vulnerable,” Hanson said in the message, according to court records.

“When you accuse Trump of this fourth indictment, whenever you are alone, look over your shoulder,” he continued.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Regina Cannon asked Hansen if that was what he said.

“I suppose so,” Hanson replied.

Without missing a beat, Cannon told Hanson that “I guess” wasn’t going to cut it. When she asked him again if that was what he said, Hanson replied, “Yes, ma’am.” »

Under questioning by the FBI, Willis said she had received several threatening messages regarding her prosecution of Trump, Hobson said, but that Hanson’s voicemail stood out because of the mention of her family.

As a result of those calls, Willis posted security around his daughter’s home and Labat increased his security to 24 hours a day, Hobson said.

In a statement to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution after the hearing, Willis said she appreciated the work of the FBI and U.S. Attorney Ryan Buchanan’s office in investigating the case.

“I thank them for valuing the life of an African-American woman who serves as Fulton County District Attorney and for sending the message that targeting government officials for doing their jobs is unacceptable and will be prosecuted,” she said.

Labat also said in a statement that it was “inconceivable” that Hanson would feel entitled and empowered to threaten him simply because he is doing his job as sheriff.

“I am happy that he took responsibility for his actions by pleading guilty,” Labat said. “I have confidence in the federal court system to bring this matter to a successful conclusion and I hope this outcome serves as a warning to anyone else who may want to take similar action.”

The maximum penalty for the single charge of threatening during interstate phone calls is five years in prison. But Hobson told Cannon the government would recommend Hanson receive credit and a more lenient sentence for accepting responsibility.

A hiccup at the plea hearing occurred when Hanson disagreed with Hobson’s account that Hanson admitted to FBI agents that his phone calls were threatening.

Cannon allowed a stay and when the court reconvened, Hanson agreed that the government could prove the elements of the crime.

“I never imagined the FBI would show up at my house,” Hanson said. “…I did not knowingly know that I was threatening anyone. For me, it was a warning.

Hanson said he made the calls because he was angry. He said he was upset by “the whole political narrative” and made calls for those responsible to step aside from Trump.

“I am not a lawbreaker,” he said. “I just lost it.”

Hanson is allowed to remain on bond while the case progresses. His sentencing will be presided over by U.S. District Judge JP Boulee at a later date.