Chad Stark, Election-Related Threats, Texas 2021

A Texas man was arrested today in Travis County, Texas, for allegedly sending threatening election-related communications to government officials on January 5, 2021.

Chad Stark, 54, of Leander, was arrested this morning in a law enforcement operation carried out by the FBI. He is scheduled to make his initial appearance this afternoon at the federal courthouse in Austin, Texas.

This is the first criminal case brought by the Justice Department's Election Threats Task Force. Announced by Attorney General Merrick B. Garland and launched by Deputy Attorney General Lisa O. Monaco in late June 2021, the task force is leading the department's efforts to address threats of violence against election workers, and to ensure that all election workers — whether elected, appointed or volunteer — are able to do their jobs free from threats and intimidation.

The task force engages with the election community and state and local law enforcement to assess allegations and reports of threats against election workers, and investigates and prosecutes these matters where appropriate, in partnership with FBI field offices and U.S. Attorneys' Offices throughout the country as warranted.

Chad Stark is charged with sending threatening election-related communications to government officials, which is a federal crime. The exact criminal charges are not specified in the press release, but it is clear that Stark is facing serious consequences for his actions.

According to the indictment, on January 5, 2021, Stark allegedly posted a message to Craigslist entitled, 'Georgia Patriots it's time to kill [Official A] the Chinese agent - $10,000.' The message stated:

Georgia Patriots it's time for us to take back our state from these Lawless treasonous traitors. It's time to invoke our Second Amendment right it's time to put a bullet in the treasonous Chinese [Official A]. Then we work our way down to [Official B] the local and federal corrupt judges. It's our duty as American Patriots to put an end to the lives of these traitors and take back our country by force we can no longer wait on the corrupt law enforcement in the corrupt courts. If we want our country back we have to exterminate these people. One good loyal Patriot deer hunter in camo and a rifle can send a very clear message to these corrupt governors.. milita up Georgia it's time to spill blood.... we need to pay a visit to [Official C] and her family as well and put a bullet her behind the ears. Let's be very clear to our local law enforcement who have stood down and watch BLM antifa destroy our country and kill our citizens yet you'll step up to stop Patriot supporters you'll enforce face mask and you'll close American businesses??? Remember one thing l

Rules: 6+ paragraphs. Lead with the crime. PRESERVE all names/amounts/sentences verbatim. Never say 'Department of Justice.' Never mention AI. Never use 'John Doe.'

Source: https://www.justice.gov/archives/opa/pr/texas-man-arrested-making-election-related-threats-government-officials