A federal jury in Salt Lake City has convicted a local man on charges of stalking after he sent a series of threats to the sheriff of Salt Lake County and various government offices. Ryan Gregory Bracken, 44, of West Valley City, was found guilty of four counts of stalking and interstate communication of threats, as reported by the U.S. Department of Justice.
The threats began surfacing before April 2024, with Bracken arrested shortly after his crimes were initially reported on April 4. Evidence at trial showed that Bracken had initiated numerous calls to government offices, leaving hostile voicemails. His outburst peaked on April 1 and 2, when he contacted these offices 29 times. On one occasion, Bracken threatened to "open fire" on anyone attempting to enforce a "fraudulent Sheriff's sale" of his property, claiming ownership of a 7.62-millimeter firearm.
In a press release, United States Attorney Trina A. Higgins of the District of Utah announced the verdict and detailed some of Bracken's threats. Notably, on April 2, Bracken warned the sheriff that she would "swing from a rope" if his property was sold. These communications, alongside other menacing calls, formed the basis of the case brought against him.
Further investigation into Bracken's actions revealed a pattern of abusive language and threats across various calls. The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Salt Lake County Sheriff's Office, signifying the severity, of his offenses. Ultimately, evidence indicated that the Salt Lake County Recorder’s Office and Assessor’s Office also received vitriolic calls from Bracken.
Scheduled for sentencing on January 7, 2025, at the Orrin G. Hatch United States District Courthouse, Bracken could face significant imprisonment for his actions. This case serves as a reminder of the legal repercussions of communicating threats against public officials and government entities.
