A man from Jackson, Michigan, has been charged with one count of making a threatening interstate communication, U.S. Attorney Dawn N. Ison announced. Christopher Pierce, age 46, was arrested after allegedly sending threats via email to a political action committee (PAC) that was fundraising in relation to yesterday's election. Special Agent in Charge Cheyvoryea Gibson of the FBI's Detroit Field Office joined Ison in the announcement.
Based on the information provided by the U.S. Department of Justice, Pierce supposedly sent two threatening e-mails on October 2. One of the communications warned, "I guarantee I can find each and every one of your [expletive] organizees. And we will turn you [expletive] inside out." A subsequent email threatened that the organization would be shut down one way or another, indicating that members of a certain group were "trained killers" and that the PAC’s call centers had been located.
Should Pierce be found guilty of making a threatening interstate communication, a sentence of up to five years in prison is possible. This incident falls under the purview of the Justice Department’s Election Threats Task Force, which was established in 2021 to address threats of violence against election workers and to ensure their ability to work without intimidation or fear.
The Task Force, with a history dating back to June 2021, has been actively investigating and prosecuting such threats in collaboration with the FBI Field Offices and U.S. Attorneys' Offices countrywide. As of today, the task force continues its mission to protect the sanctity of elections and the safety of those who facilitate the democratic process. Any suspected threats or acts of violence can be reported to the local FBI office or through the FBI's hotline and online portal. However, in the case of imminent danger, the public is urged to contact 911 or local police immediately.