Steven Arthur Martis, Threatening Speaker of the House, Arizona 2022

A convicted threat against one of America’s most powerful figures has landed a Bullhead City man behind bars. Steven Arthur Martis, 77, was sentenced to 21 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for threatening to kill Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi.

On January 17, 2021, Martis called Speaker Pelosi’s Washington District Office from his residence in Bullhead City, Arizona, and left two disturbing voicemails. In his first voicemail, Martis threatened, ‘I’m coming to kill you . . . .’ Martis followed up with a second voicemail, in which he advised, ‘You’re dead . . . .’

Martis made these calls despite being warned by the Federal Bureau of Investigation about making similar threats in the past. The FBI conducted the investigation in this case, with assistance from the United States Capitol Police.

Assistant United States Attorneys Kristen Brook and Joseph Koehler, District of Arizona, Phoenix, handled the prosecution.

The case against Martis stemmed from his threatening calls to Speaker Pelosi’s office. According to the evidence presented, Martis left two voicemails on January 17, 2021, which included the menacing threats.

The U.S. District Judge Diane J. Humetewa handed down the 21-month prison sentence and three years of supervised release to Martis. The defendant was found guilty of communicating an interstate threat to kill or harm Speaker Pelosi.

CASE NUMBER: CR-21-08140-PHX-DJH. RELEASE NUMBER: 2022-018_Martis. For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/. Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, on Twitter @USAO_AZ for the latest news.

Martis’s sentence marks a significant outcome in a case that highlights the severity of threats against public officials. The conviction serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining public safety and holding individuals accountable for their actions.

The Bullhead City man’s conviction is a consequence of his actions, which demonstrated a clear disregard for the safety and well-being of others. The sentence aims to prevent future threats and promote a culture of respect and civility in public discourse.

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