Pennsylvania man faces federal charges after sending violent threats to an election worker, highlighting the ongoing concerns over election-related intimidation. John Pollard was charged with threatening to kill a state political party representative. These violent threats consisted of explicit language sent via text messaging. The case underscores the DOJ’s challenge to preventing election interference.
Federal Charges Against Pollard
John Pollard, 62, from Philadelphia, has been charged federally for sending violent threats to a political party worker. The worker was engaged in recruiting poll watchers and became the target of Pollard’s alleged threatening texts on September 6. Pollard reportedly expressed graphic and violent intents in his messages, such as plans to harm the worker, significantly raising alarms over election worker safety.
Pollard is accused of threatening language, outlining potential violence against the worker, including statements like “I will KILL YOU” and intentions to “skin” the victim. This case is being managed by the DOJ’s Election Threats Task Force, emphasizing the persistent issue of threats targeting election integrity and worker safety amidst an election.
A Philadelphia man has been charged with threatening to kill a representative of a political party who was recruiting poll watchers, officials said Monday. https://t.co/qrbFqK7rrb
— CBS Philadelphia (@CBSPhiladelphia) October 21, 2024
DOJ and FBI Involvement
The Department of Justice, together with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Pennsylvania, is prosecuting the case. The FBI Pittsburgh Field Office leads the investigation, pointing to federal concern over this brand of intimidation. Such measures reinforce the government’s ongoing efforts to safeguard the electoral process from interference and protect those working to facilitate and oversee fair elections.
“Your days are numbered, B****! GONNA F‑‑‑ING FIND YOU AND SKIN YOU ALIVE AND USE YOUR SKIN FOR F***ING TOILET PAPER, YOU F***ING KKK**T!” John Pollard texted.
As established, the Election Threats Task Force was founded in June 2021, seeking to address threats directed at election workers. It collaborates with the election community, law enforcement, and other agencies to investigate suspected intimidation. Pollard’s case underscores the ongoing need for such collaborative efforts, aiming to neutralize threats and ensure election workers can perform their duties safely and confidently.
A 62-year-old man in Philadelphia was charged with making text message threats to a state-level Republican Party employee who was trying to recruit Election Day poll observers on Facebook last month.
Max penalty is five years in prisonhttps://t.co/xXs0kamNtV pic.twitter.com/ptmCUCeXVt
— Jared Holt (@jaredlholt) October 21, 2024
Legal Repercussions and Public Response
If convicted, Pollard could serve up to five years in prison under charges of transmitting interstate threats. This case serves as a reminder of the DOJ’s commitment to addressing electoral threats and intimidation energetically and forthrightly. It encourages the public to report any threats or violent acts against election officials to the FBI or local law enforcement to ensure continued protection of the democratic process.
The public is reminded that an indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law. As the threat landscape evolves, actions taken by law enforcement and the judiciary aim to curb further intimidation and interference facing America’s election workers.
My trust in the DOJ is ZERO.