An Alabama man has pleaded guilty to sending threatening messages to election workers with Maricopa County Elections in Phoenix.
Incident Summary: On August 2, 2022, during Arizona’s primary elections, 60-year-old Brian Jerry Ogstad from Cullman, Alabama, sent multiple threatening direct messages to Maricopa County Elections’ Instagram account. The threats, made between August 2 and August 4, included graphic and violent language, such as, “You did it! Now you are [expletive]. Dead. You will all be executed for your crimes” and “You are lying, cheating [expletive] . . . you better not come in my church, my business or send your kids to my school. You are [expletive] stupid if you think your lives are safe.”
Legal Action: Ogstad pleaded guilty to one count of making a threatening interstate communication. He faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison, with sentencing scheduled for October 21. The case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorney Tanya Senanayake of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary Sue Feldmeier for the District of Arizona.
Statements from Officials:
- Attorney General Merrick B. Garland: “The functioning of our democracy requires that our country’s public servants be able to do their jobs without fearing for their lives. We have no tolerance for this kind of heinous criminal conduct and the danger it poses to people’s safety and to our democratic process.”
- FBI Director Christopher Wray: “Violent threats to election workers are threats to our democracy and democratic process. We cannot allow threats of violence against public servants to become normalized. The FBI takes seriously all threats of violence against public officials and will continue to pursue threats and acts of violence aimed at election workers.”
- Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri: “As today’s guilty plea demonstrates, the Department is committed to holding accountable those who target election workers and officials with threats of violence. I am especially grateful to the Election Threats Task Force, which continues to spearhead the Department’s efforts to ensure that public servants who administer our elections can do their jobs free from threats and intimidation.”
- U.S. Attorney Gary M. Restaino for the District of Arizona: “This guilty plea should send a message to anyone who tries to take the rule of law into their own hands through vigilante justice. But it also showcases the resilience of public servants. Thanks to the election professionals in Maricopa County who have worked courageously to maintain free and fair elections in spite of the threats received.”
Ongoing Efforts: The Justice Department’s Election Threats Task Force, established in June 2021 by Attorney General Merrick B. Garland and Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco, continues to address threats of violence against election workers. The task force collaborates with the election community and law enforcement to investigate and prosecute these threats.
To report suspected threats or violent acts, contact your local FBI office and request to speak with the Election Crimes Coordinator. Alternatively, you can call 1-800-CALL-FBI (225-5324) or file an online complaint at www.tips.fbi.gov. In case of imminent danger, contact 911 or local police immediately.
