Iowa Man Threatens AZ Election Officials

PHOENIX, AZ – Mark A. Rissi, 64, of Hiawatha, Iowa, has confessed to a pair of federal crimes: threatening a Maricopa County election official and a former Arizona Attorney General. Rissi bombarded both men with voicemails filled with explicit language and promises of violence, adding fuel to the already raging fire of election-related intimidation. The feds say Rissi’s tirades weren’t just angry rants, they were illegal threats.

The targets of Rissi’s rage were Clint Hickman, a member of the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors, and Mark Brnovich, who served as Arizona’s Attorney General during the contentious 2020 election cycle. Rissi allegedly flew off the handle over perceived dishonesty in the election, directing threats of hanging and death toward Hickman. He accused Brnovich of covering up alleged fraud and warned him of consequences if he didn’t “act.” These weren’t just political disagreements; they were direct, menacing communications designed to instill fear.

Federal prosecutors are now preparing for sentencing, slated for June 26th. Rissi faces a maximum of five years in prison per count, meaning a decade behind bars if the judge throws the book at him. The case is being handled by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona and is a stark reminder that making threats against those involved in the electoral process isn’t protected speech – it’s a crime with serious repercussions. The feds have made it clear they’re not tolerating this behavior.

The FBI spearheaded the investigation, with agents from the Phoenix and Cedar Rapids field offices working together to trace the threatening calls. This case falls under the umbrella of the Election Threats Task Force, launched in June 2021 in response to a surge of hostility directed at election workers nationwide. The Task Force is a multi-agency effort aimed at deterring and prosecuting individuals who attempt to intimidate or threaten those administering elections. It’s a clear signal that the feds are taking these threats seriously.

The implications of this case extend beyond just one angry man and two targeted officials. Election workers across the country have faced an unprecedented wave of harassment, intimidation, and threats in recent years, leading to a mass exodus of experienced personnel. This erodes public trust in the electoral process and creates a dangerous environment for those dedicated to ensuring fair and accurate elections. The feds hope that cases like Rissi’s will send a message that such behavior is unacceptable and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

Grimy Times will continue to follow this case as it moves toward sentencing. The safety and security of election officials is paramount to a functioning democracy, and anyone attempting to disrupt that process through threats or violence will face the full force of the law. This isn’t about politics; it’s about protecting the integrity of the vote and ensuring that those who administer it can do so without fear for their lives. Expect more prosecutions like this as the feds ramp up efforts to curb election-related threats.