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Frederick Francis Goltz, a 52-year-old Texas man, has been sentenced to over three years in prison for making menacing threats towards an election official and a county official in Maricopa County, Arizona, as well as their children.
The threats were made on social media platforms, patriots. win, and Gab, under the username “FreeSpeechMaster.”
His actions highlight the intense tensions and conspiracy theories surrounding the 2020 presidential election and its aftermath.
Goltz’s threatening posts targeted a Maricopa County official, providing personal information like their name, address, phone number, and fax machine on social media.
In one post, he insinuated harm toward the official’s children, stating, “It would be a shame if someone got to these children.
The prosecutor’s office revealed that Goltz also advocated for a mass shooting of poll workers.
Maricopa County, being Arizona’s most populous county, was a focal point of conspiracy theories and misinformation related to the 2020 presidential election.
The county’s election officials faced baseless claims and allegations from individuals and groups seeking to challenge the election’s outcome.
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Texas Man Sentenced for Menacing Officials
The situation drew attention and scrutiny, even leading to a controversial Republican-backed audit of the election results.
Goltz was charged and pleaded guilty on April 26 to one count of interstate threatening communications.
The guilty plea, along with the evidence presented in court, resulted in his sentencing to more than three years in prison.
Despite the severity of his threats, there was no immediate response from Goltz’s lawyer regarding the matter.
US Attorney Leigha Simonton emphasized the gravity of the threats made against election workers and officials, calling their duty “sacred to the body politic.
” She condemned such violent advocacy and reiterated the Justice Department’s commitment to protecting law enforcement and election officials from such intimidation and violence.
The case of Frederick Francis Goltz serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers posed by online threats and conspiracy-driven ideologies.
The sentencing sends a strong message against targeting election workers and officials, who play a crucial role in upholding democracy.
As the nation grapples with ongoing challenges to the integrity of its electoral process, it is imperative to safeguard those responsible for administering elections and ensure that they can perform their duties without fear of harm or intimidation.
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Source: NBC News
