Alabama Man Sentenced to 30 Months for Threatening Maricopa County Elections Office During 2022 Primary

Alabama Man Sentenced to 30 Months for Threatening Maricopa County Elections Office During 2022 Primary

Brian Jerry Ogstad Receives 30-Month Prison Sentence for Interstate Threats Against Election Workers

PHOENIX, Ariz. – Brian Jerry Ogstad, a 60-year-old man from Cullman, Alabama, has been sentenced to 30 months in prison for making violent threats against the Maricopa County Elections Office during Arizona’s 2022 primary elections. United States District Judge Michael T. Liburdi handed down the sentence on Monday, which also includes 36 months of supervised release and a $1,000 fine. Ogstad had pleaded guilty to one count of Making a Threatening Interstate Communication on July 25, 2024.

U.S. Attorney Gary Restaino emphasized the importance of protecting election workers, stating, “In this election season we honor and respect those public servants who enable Americans to exercise their constitutional right to vote. Threats of violence will be met in this District with robust prosecution.”

From August 2 to August 4, 2022, Ogstad sent multiple threatening messages to an Instagram account managed by the Maricopa County Elections Office. His messages included 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.”


The threats were made in the aftermath of Arizona’s primary elections, which included a closely watched gubernatorial race. Despite the alarming nature of his messages, law enforcement, led by the FBI Phoenix Field Office with assistance from the FBI Birmingham Field Office, swiftly took action to apprehend Ogstad.

Acting Special Agent in Charge Jarod Brown of the FBI Phoenix Field Office reiterated the agency’s commitment to protecting election workers, stating, “Threats of violence toward election workers are also threats to the democratic process and cannot become normalized.”

Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary Sue Feldmeier, District of Arizona, and Trial Attorney Tanya Senanayake of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section led the prosecution of the case.

This sentencing highlights the serious consequences for individuals who threaten the safety of election officials and the integrity of the democratic process.