"Rising Threats: Crackdown on Election Officials' Safety Intensifies"

Joshua Russell of Ohio was sentenced to 2.5 years in prison for making death threats to Arizona's top election official, Katie Hobbs, during the 2022 election season. The threats, made in voicemails, caused deep fear and apprehension for Hobbs and her office employees. Russell had pleaded guilty to a federal charge of making an interstate threat against Hobbs. The case is part of the U.S. Justice Department’s Election Threats Task Force, which focuses on threats of violence against elected officials and election workers. Russell apologized for his actions, attributing them to depression, anger, and substance abuse, and expressed remorse in a letter to Hobbs.