Arthur Ray Hanson II, a resident of Huntsville, Alabama, has been sentenced to federal prison for making interstate threats against Fulton County Sheriff Patrick Labat and District Attorney Fani Willis. The threats were linked to their involvement in the investigation and prosecution of former President Donald Trump in Fulton County, Georgia.
U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan emphasized the importance of protecting public servants from intimidation: “Public servants have a responsibility to enforce our criminal laws, and anyone who threatens to harm or intimidate them will face the consequences of their actions.” He expressed gratitude to law enforcement partners for ensuring that officials can perform their duties without fear of physical attacks.
Sean Burke, Acting Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta, stated that such threats are not only illegal but also undermine democratic processes. “The FBI’s mission is to protect the American people and uphold the Constitution,” he said. “We take this responsibility very seriously and seek to punish those who engage in this type of criminal behavior.”
According to court information presented by U.S. Attorney Buchanan, on August 6, 2023, Hanson left threatening voicemails for both Sheriff Labat and District Attorney Willis via the Fulton County Government customer service line. His messages contained explicit threats of violence if they continued with their actions related to former President Trump.
In his voicemail for Sheriff Labat, Hanson warned about potential repercussions if a mugshot was taken of Trump. Similarly, in his message for District Attorney Willis, he cautioned her about personal safety risks following Trump's indictment.
Hanson was sentenced by U.S. District Judge J.P. Boulee to one year and nine months in prison followed by three years of supervised release. He was also fined $7,500 after pleading guilty on July 3, 2024.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation into this case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Bret R. Hobson and Brent Alan Gray led the prosecution efforts.
For additional details, contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6016. More information can be found on the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia website at http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.