ARIZONA NEWS

Iowa man pleads guilty to making election-related threats to Arizona officials

Apr 13, 2023, 3:30 PM

Clint Hickman and Mark Brnovich. (Getty Images, left, YouTube Screenshot, right)...

Clint Hickman and Mark Brnovich. (Getty Images, left, YouTube Screenshot, right)

(Getty Images, left, YouTube Screenshot, right)

PHOENIX — An Iowa man pleaded guilty Thursday to sending threatening messages to multiple Arizona officials regarding the 2020 election, authorities said.

Mark Rissi, 64, of Hiawatha, pleaded guilty to two counts of making a threatening interstate communication and could face up to five years in prison on each count, according to a press release from the U.S. Department of Justice.

Rissi sent voicemails to Maricopa County Supervisor Clint Hickman and former Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich — both Republicans — about a year after the 2020 election that saw Joe Biden defeat Donald Trump.

He first left a voicemail on Sept. 27, 2021, for the Board of Supervisors official.

“Hello Mr. Hickman, I am glad that you are standing up for democracy and want to place your hand on the Bible and say that the election was honest and fair. I really appreciate that. When we come to lynch your stupid lying Commie [expletive], you’ll remember that you lied on the [expletive] Bible, you piece of [expletive]. You’re gonna die, you piece of [expletive]. We’re going to hang you. We’re going to hang you,” the voicemail said, according to the release.

Hickman issued a statement in October after Rissi was charged.

“I remember exactly where I was when I heard that voicemail,” he said. “It was chilling. This wasn’t a prank call. This wasn’t protected speech. This was a serious threat to me and my family.”

Rissi also left a voicemail for Brnovich on Dec. 8, 2021.

“This message is for Attorney General Mark Brnovich … I’m a victim of a crime. My family is a victim of a crime. My extended family is a victim of a crime. That crime was the theft of the 2020 election. The election that was fraudulent across the state of Arizona, that the Attorney General knows was fraudulent, that the Attorney General has images of the conspirators deleting election fraud data from the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors computer system. Do your job, Brnovich, or you will hang with those [expletive] in the end. We will see to it. Torches and pitchforks. That’s your future, [expletive]. Do your job,” the voicemail said, according to the release.

Rissi will be sentenced on June 26.

The FBI Phoenix and Cedar Rapid Field Offices investigated the case as a part of the Justice Department’s Election Threats Task Force established in 2021.

The task force aims to make all election officials — elected, appointed or volunteer — free of any threats from the job.

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Pass it along to the KTAR News team here.

Arizona News

Karrin Taylor Robson...

KTAR.com

Karrin Taylor Robson announces 2nd run for governor of Arizona

Karrin Taylor Robson, who unsuccessfully ran for governor of Arizona in 2022, announced Wednesday she is running again in 2026.

28 minutes ago

Phoenix police officers shot and killed a suspect near Williams Field and and Higley roads in Gilbe...

KTAR.com

Man killed in overnight shooting involving Phoenix police officers in Gilbert

A man was killed in an overnight shooting involving Phoenix police officers in Gilbert, authorities said Wednesday morning.

55 minutes ago

A Scottsdale estate with a Jordan shoe display and a full basketball gym was listed for $23.5 milli...

Kevin Stone

Furnished Scottsdale estate with basketball gym, Jordan sneaker display listed for $23.5M

A basketball lover’s dream home is on the market in north Scottsdale, but you better have plenty of space under your salary cap if you want to buy it.

3 hours ago

Uranium mining...

Kevin Stone

Arizona GOP leader wants Trump administration to remove uranium mining restrictions

Arizona's Republican Senate president is hoping the Trump administration will undo actions by former presidents that curtail uranium mining in the state.

3 hours ago

56 trees growing into power lines to be removed in 2 cities...

Serena O'Sullivan

SRP to remove 56 trees growing too close to power lines in Chandler, Apache Junction

The Salt River Project (SRP) is teaming up with the cities of Chandler and Apache Junction to remove 56 trees growing into power lines.

3 hours ago

Two Arizona Department of Economic Security Employees were convicted of receiving bribes to approv...

David Veenstra

2 state employees convicted of receiving bribes

Two Arizona Department of Economic Security Employees were convicted of receiving bribes to approve unemployment insurance claims.

11 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

...

Collins Comfort Masters

Collins Comfort Masters: Your go-to plumbing experts in Arizona

Collins Comfort Masters, a trusted name in HVAC, water and plumbing since 1985, is you go-to plumbers for the residents of Phoenix and the Valley.

...

Asset Preservation Wealth & Tax

How to optimize the most money in 2024 tax returns

As tax season begins, getting your financials in order is important to maximize your tax return.

...

Fiesta Bowl Foundation

Join us for the 52nd annual Vrbo Fiesta Bowl Parade

The 52nd annual Vrbo Fiesta Bowl Parade presented by Lerner & Rowe returns on Saturday, December 28, at 10 a.m.

Iowa man pleads guilty to making election-related threats to Arizona officials