QAnon Supporter Sentenced to 3 Years for Threatening Katie Hobbs with Execution

A Colorado man has been sentenced to three years in prison for making online threats against state officials, including former Secretary of State Katie Hobbs. Teak Ty Brockbank’s case highlights the alarming rise of extremist rhetoric online.

Brockbank attributed his actions to exposure to far-right extremism content, particularly the QAnon conspiracy theory. The FBI’s investigation revealed numerous posts in which he chanted QAnon slogans, like “WWG1WGA,” signaling his alignment with this radical ideology.

The QAnon community often employs acronyms to convey cryptic messages, encapsulating their beliefs in phrases that have become rallying cries. Brockbank’s online persona featured a cartoon frog, a symbol popular among certain conspiracy theory and racist groups.

In August 2022, Brockbank expressed his views on Rumble, a video platform known for hosting misinformation, asserting that Hobbs and her Colorado counterpart, Jena Griswold, were guilty of treason connected to alleged election fraud. These claims lack any substantiated evidence.

“Once these people start getting put to death then the rest will melt like snowflakes and turn on each other,” Brockbank stated in a troubling comment. This language underscored his belief in violent retribution against those he considered traitors.

Brockbank, formerly of Cave Creek, went as far as to explicitly claim he had the right to “execute” Hobbs publicly. His incendiary comments extended to federal agents, stating he would kill them if they approached his home.

“ATF CIA FBI show up to my house I am shooting them,” he wrote, presenting a clear threat to law enforcement—and revealing a dangerous mindset.

In court, Brockbank expressed regret for his actions and blamed alcohol for his behavior. However, the U.S. Department of Justice argued that his ongoing threatening remarks and possession of firearms indicated a lack of genuine remorse. They noted a significant amount of ammunition in his residence, leading agents to forgo counting it.

Hobbs chose not to comment on the sentencing, focusing instead on her ongoing responsibilities as a public official.