Man from Alabama Indicted for Threatening Georgia Officials in Relation to Trump Election Investigation

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A resident of Alabama, Arthur Ray Hanson II, has been federally indicted for allegedly making threats of violence against a prosecutor and a sheriff in Georgia. These threats are linked to an ongoing investigation concerning former President Donald Trump.

Unsealed on October 30, the indictment states that Hanson, who resides in Huntsville and is 59 years old, is accused of leaving menacing voicemails for Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis and Fulton County Sheriff Pat Labat on August 6. When contacted by telephone on Monday, Hanson denied any wrongdoing.

On August 14, DA Willis had secured an indictment against Donald Trump and 18 other individuals, accusing them of engaging in an extensive illegal effort to overturn the 2020 election results in Georgia. This indictment was the fourth criminal case filed against the former President in recent months, and its issuance had been broadly expected.

Prior to the return of the indictment, a question was posed to Sheriff Labat at a press conference about whether Trump would have a mug shot taken if indicted. Labat replied that, unless instructed otherwise, standard procedures would be followed, irrespective of the person’s status.

Prosecutors claim that Hanson made threatening calls to Fulton County’s government customer service line and left voicemails for both Willis and Labat approximately a week before the indictment was issued.

According to the indictment, Hanson allegedly cautioned Willis in his message, stating that she would not always be under the protection of others and that there would be instances when she would be exposed to danger. “When you charge Trump on that fourth indictment, be vigilant whenever you find yourself alone,” he is reported to have said among other statements.

For Sheriff Labat, Hanson’s message was fraught with threats concerning the possibility of a mug shot of the former President being taken. The indictment outlines that Hanson made comments such as, “Should you be responsible for taking a mug shot of the President, serious repercussions will ensue,” and, “Continuing to provoke my President will result in harm.”

In his response, Hanson stated that he is “not the individual that is being portrayed” and declined to further discuss or clarify the pending charges. “It’s all unfounded allegations. To my knowledge, no one was ever intended to be harmed,” he remarked.

Hanson appeared for an initial hearing in a federal court in Huntsville and is scheduled for formal arraignment in Atlanta on November 13, according to a press release from the prosecutors.

U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan emphasized the severity of the act, stating, “Sending threats across state lines with the intent to harm prosecutors and law enforcement is a heinous act that undermines the administration of justice and intimidates individuals tasked with the solemn responsibility of protecting citizens’ rights. When public servants are threatened for executing their duties, it could potentially erode the very bedrock of our societal structure.”

This is not the first instance of individuals being charged for making threats related to criminal cases against Trump. In August, a woman from Texas was arrested for allegedly threatening to kill a Congressional member and a federal judge overseeing a separate criminal case against the former President in Washington.

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More about Federal Indictment

• Federal Indictment Details Against Arthur Ray Hanson II
• Profile of Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis
• Profile of Fulton County Sheriff Pat Labat
• Overview of Criminal Cases Against Donald Trump
• Statement from U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan on Interstate Threats
• Previous Charges for Threats Related to Trump Investigations