An indictment was unsealed Monday charging a Philadelphia man with threatening to kill a representative of a state political party who was recruiting official poll watchers.
According to the indictment, on Sept. 6, John Pollard, 62, of Philadelphia, sent threatening text messages to Victim 1. Victim 1 had previously posted online, in Victim 1’s capacity as an employee of a state political party, that Victim 1 was recruiting volunteers to “help observe at the polls on Election Day” and included Victim 1’s phone number, officials said. Pollard allegedly texted Victim 1 that he was “interested in being a poll watcher” and included Victim 1’s first name. Pollard then allegedly texted three threats to Victim 1:
• “I will KILL YOU IF YOU DON’T ANSWER ME!”
• “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!”
Pollard is charged with one count of transmitting interstate threats. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
U.S. Attorney Eric G. Olshan for the Western District of Pennsylvania and Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, made the announcement.
The FBI Pittsburgh Field Office is investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicole A. Stockey for the Western District of Pennsylvania and Trial Attorney Jacob R. Steiner of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section (PIN) are prosecuting the case, with assistance from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.
“Threats against election workers constitute election interference,” said Linda A. Kerns, an election lawyer working for the Republican National Committee. “e at the Republican National Committee will not tolerate this behavior and report all of these incidents to the authorities. We are grateful to all those at the Department of Justice who investigated this matter.”
The case is part of the Justice Department’s Election Threats Task Force. Announced by Attorney General Merrick B. Garland and launched by Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco in 2021, the task force has led the department’s efforts to address threats of violence against election workers, and to ensure that all election workers — whether elected, appointed, or volunteer — are able to do their jobs free from threats and intimidation. The task force engages with the election community and state and local law enforcement to assess allegations and reports of threats against election workers, and has investigated and prosecuted these matters where appropriate, in partnership with FBI Field Offices and U.S. Attorney Offices throughout the country.
Three years after its formation, the task force is continuing this work and supporting the U.S. Attorney Offices and FBI Field Offices nationwide as it carries on the critical work the task force has begun.
Under the leadership of Deputy Attorney General Monaco, the task force is led by PIN and includes several other entities within the Justice Department, including the Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section, Civil Rights Division, National Security Division, and FBI, as well as key interagency partners, such as the Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Postal Inspection Service. For more information regarding the Justice Department’s efforts to combat threats against election workers, read the Deputy Attorney General’s memo.
To report suspected threats or violent acts, contact your local FBI office and request to speak with the Election Crimes Coordinator. Contact information for every FBI field office may be found here. You may also contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (225-5324). Complaints submitted will be reviewed by the task force and referred for investigation or response accordingly. If someone is in imminent danger or risk of harm, contact 911 or your local police immediately.
An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law, officials said.
Kerns said there have been no arrests so far in a case of voter intimidation where threatening letters were sent to Delaware Valley Republican voters.
