Alabama Man Admits to Plotting Execution Threats Against Maricopa County Election Officials

An Alabama man has admitted to sending threatening messages to election workers in Arizona’s Maricopa County during the 2022 primary elections. Brian Jerry Ogstad, 60, pleaded guilty on Friday to issuing explicit threats of violence and execution through social media.

Ogstad faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison, with his sentencing set for October 21 in Phoenix. Efforts to reach his attorney for comments were unsuccessful as of Friday.

U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland underscored the importance of safeguarding public servants. “Threats and acts of violence targeting those who serve the public will be met with the full force of the United States Justice Department,” Garland stated.

The indictment reveals that Ogstad issued death threats to Maricopa County election officials from August 2 to August 4, 2022. Using a social media account managed by the county, he sent messages including, “You did it! Now you are f—–. Dead. You will all be executed for your crimes,” as per the indictment details.

Brian Jerry Ogstad, who identifies himself as an entrepreneur and public speaker focused on liberty and society, was previously featured in a 2021 CNN report on QAnon. In the report, he denied being a follower of QAnon despite using their slogans and hashtags and appeared to endorse their core conspiracy theories.

U.S. Attorney Gary Restaino for the District of Arizona emphasized that the guilty plea should deter others from vigilantism. “This should send a message to anyone who tries to take the rule of law into their own hands through vigilante justice,” he said.

FBI Director Christopher Wray reiterated the severe implications of threats to election workers. “We cannot allow threats of violence against public servants to become normalized,” Wray stated, affirming that the FBI takes such threats very seriously.

This case is part of the Justice Department’s Election Threats Task Force, initiated by Attorney General Garland and Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco in June 2021. The task force aims to curb violence against election workers by engaging with the election community and law enforcement to investigate and prosecute threats.

Jim Small contributed to this report for Arizonanews.org.