Brian Jerry Ogstad, a 60-year-old resident of Cullman, Alabama, has been handed a 30-month prison sentence, along with 36 months of supervised release. The sentencing comes as a result of his involvement in making threatening interstate communications, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona. The announcement was made today.
United States District Judge Michael T. Liburdi also ordered Ogstad to pay a $1,000 fine. Ogstad pleaded guilty to the allegation on July 25, 2024.
According to the United States Attorney’s Office, Arizona’s primary elections, including a keenly watched gubernatorial primary, will take place on August 2, 2022.
From August 2 to August 4, 2022, Ogstad wrote repeated threatening tweets to the Maricopa County Elections Instagram account.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office revealed that on or around August 3, 2022, Ogstad sent multiple threats, including messages saying, “You did it!” Now you’re [expletive]. Dead. You will all face execution for your crimes. “You are extremely foolish if you think your lives are safe.”
According to the department, Ogstad repeated his threats on August 4, 2022, saying, “You people are so stupid.” Everyone is aware of your abundance of dishonesty, cheating, and fraud. You all will be executed. Bang, [expletive]!”
The FBI highlighted that Ogstad’s threats were taken seriously and that his actions were directly related to the management of the 2022 Arizona elections.
“As Director Wray has repeatedly stated, threats of violence against election workers are threats to the democratic process and cannot be normalized,” said FBI Phoenix Acting Special Agent in Charge Jarod Brown in a statement.
“The FBI takes seriously all threats of violence against public officials, and we will continue to assess them and take swift action as necessary.”
