Brian Jerry Ogstad, a 60-year-old from Cullman, Alabama, pleaded guilty to making threatening interstate communications to Maricopa County Elections in Phoenix, Arizona.
On August 2, 2022, Arizona held primary elections for federal and state officeholders. From August 2 to August 4, 2022, Ogstad sent multiple threatening direct messages to an Instagram social media account maintained by Maricopa County Elections.
The messages included threats such as "You did it! Now you are [expletive]. Dead. You will all be executed for your crimes" and "You [expletive] are so dead."
Ogstad pleaded guilty to one count of making a threatening interstate communication. He is scheduled to be sentenced on October 21 and faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison.
"The functioning of our democracy requires that our country’s public servants be able to do their jobs without fearing for their lives," said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland.
"Violent threats to election workers are threats to our democracy and democratic process," said FBI Director Christopher Wray. "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."
The FBI Phoenix Field Office is investigating the case, with substantial assistance from the FBI Birmingham Field Office.
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 are prosecuting the case.
This case is part of the Justice Department’s Election Threats Task Force, which has led the Department’s efforts to address threats of violence against public servants who administer elections.
Key Facts
- State: Alabama
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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