Andrew Nickels, a 38-year-old man from Carmel, Indiana, was sentenced today to 14 months in federal prison for sending a death threat to a Michigan election worker shortly after the November 2020 election. The sentence was handed down in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan.
“The Justice Department has no tolerance for violent threats against election workers, officials, and volunteers, and as this case demonstrates, we will aggressively investigate and prosecute such threats to the fullest extent of the law,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “We will continue to defend the right to vote and to defend the safety of the public servants who make voting possible.”
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According to court documents, Nickels left a threatening voicemail for the election worker on November 10, 2020, accusing them of fraud and threatening violence. The voicemail, which was investigated by the FBI Detroit Field Office, contained explicit death threats against the worker and their family.
Nickels pleaded guilty in February to one count of making a threatening interstate communication. In addition to the prison sentence, he will also serve two years of supervised release.
“Threats such as the ones that Nickels made undermine our democracy by making elections workers fearful for their lives and for the safety of their families—just for doing their jobs,” said U.S. Attorney Dawn N. Ison for the Eastern District of Michigan. “This sentence should send a clear message that those who seeks to jeopardize the fair and free administration of our elections with threats of violence will be vigorously prosecuted and held accountable.”
“The FBI and its partners will not tolerate threats against our election workers,” said Executive Assistant Director Michael Nordwall of the FBI’s Criminal, Cyber, Response, and Services Branch. “Today’s sentencing shows our commitment to ensuring that public servants can do their jobs without fear of retribution.”
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The case is part of the Justice Department’s broader effort to combat threats against election workers and officials, who have faced a surge of harassment and intimidation in recent years. Attorney General Merrick B. Garland emphasized the department’s commitment to protecting those who serve in the electoral process, stating, “The Justice Department has no tolerance for violent threats against election workers, officials, and volunteers.”
The sentencing of Nickels sends a strong message that threats against election workers will be taken seriously and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
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