An Alabama man pleaded guilty Thursday to sending violent messages to Maricopa County election workers during the state’s 2022 primary elections.
Between Aug. 2, 2022, to Aug. 4, 2022, 60-year-old Brian Ogstad of Cullman, Alabama, sent multiple threatening direct messages to an Instagram account maintained by Maricopa County Elections, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.
The threats were sent during Arizona’s primary elections for federal and state officeholders, including a nationally covered gubernatorial primary election.
In one instance Aug. 3, Ogstad stated, “You did it! Now you are [expletive]. Dead. You will all be executed for your crimes. [expletive] you! You are caught! They have it all. You [expletive] are dead,” and, “You are lying, cheating [expletive] . . . you better not come in my church, my business or send your kids to my school. You are [expletive] stupid if you think your lives are safe.”
Federal officials arrested Ogstad in February. His indictment alleged Ogstad referenced claims of voter fraud in addition to sending threatening messages.