An Indiana man pleaded guilty Tuesday to sending a communication that threatened to kill an election worker in Michigan.
Andrew Nickels, 37, of Carmel, Indiana, pleaded guilty to one count of making a threatening interstate communication. He is scheduled to be sentenced on July 9 and faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison.
According to court documents, on or about Nov. 10, 2020, Andrew Nickels, 37, of Carmel, called the clerk of a local municipality and left a voicemail threatening to kill the local official.
Read: Tampa Police Arrest 3 Students, 3 Adults, Including School Employee At Chamberlain High School
As part of the message, Nickels stated, in part, “We’re watching your…mouth talk about how you think that there’s no irregularities…[Y]ou frauded out America of a real election.”
Nickels then told the clerk that “you’re gonna pay for it,” and described how “ten million plus patriots will surround you when you least expect it.”
He continued: “[W]e’ll [expletive] kill you…[Y]ou will [expletive] pay for your [expletive] lying ass remarks…We will [expletive] take you out. [Expletive] your family, [expletive] your life, and you deserve a [expletive] throat to the knife…Watch your [expletive] back…watch your [expletive] back.”
“Andrew Nickels threatened that he and millions of so-called ‘patriots’ would kill an election worker in Michigan. Among other threats, he said the local public official deserved a ‘throat to the knife’ for saying that there were no irregularities in the election,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “Election officials and workers play a critical role in safeguarding free and fair elections. The Criminal Division will continue to aggressively investigate and prosecute individuals who seek to undermine this core tenet of our democracy by threatening election officials with violence.”
Read: Georgia Man Convicted After Release From Mental Hospital, Stabbing His Mom To Death
“No public official should face the violent threats that the victim in this case did, just for doing their job of ensuring the fairness and integrity our federal, state, and local elections,” said U.S. Attorney Dawn N. Ison for the Eastern District of Michigan. “Today’s guilty plea should send a clear message that those who engage in this egregious conduct will be held accountable.”
“Those who work to ensure the integrity of our democratic process should be able to continue without fear of intimidation or violence,” said Special Agent in Charge Cheyvoryea Gibson of the FBI Detroit Field Office. “The FBI will not tolerate threats against any local, state, or federal elections workers and will continue working with our law enforcement partners to mitigate such threats.”
The FBI Detroit Field Office is investigating the case.
Help support the Tampa Free Press by making any small donation by clicking here.
Android Users, Click To Download The Tampa Free Press App And Never Miss A Story. Follow Us On Facebook and Twitter. Sign up for our free newsletter.