An Ohio resident, Joshua Russell from Bucyrus, was sentenced to two and a half years in prison on Monday for leaving death threats in voicemails for Katie Hobbs, the then-Arizona Secretary of State, during the election period of 2022. On August 31, 2023, Russell admitted guilt to a federal charge in Phoenix for issuing an interstate threat against Hobbs. At the time, Hobbs, a Democrat, held the position of Arizona’s chief elections officer and has since become the governor of the state.
U.S. District Judge Steven Logan acknowledged Russell’s efforts in seeking substance abuse treatment and other forms of counseling post-arrest. Despite these efforts to turn his life around, Logan determined prison time was necessary due to the trauma inflicted on individuals working in the secretary of state’s office. In court, Logan highlighted the severity of Russell’s profanity-filled threats, which wrongfully accused Hobbs of terrorism while threatening her life, dismissing Russell’s attempt to downplay his actions as immature.
Before receiving his sentence, Russell expressed remorse, attributing his actions to a misguided attempt at coping with personal turmoil. He shared a poignant moment with his family in the courtroom before being taken into custody.
Hobbs was notably absent from the sentencing. The threats made by Russell were part of a larger pattern of intimidation directed at Hobbs for her role in certifying the 2020 presidential election results and overseeing the 2022 midterm elections. Amidst false claims of election fraud by supporters of Donald Trump, Hobbs faced significant threats, necessitating constant security at times. She has spoken about the impact of these threats on her personal and professional life.
Russell’s sentencing is part of a broader initiative by the U.S. Justice Department’s Election Threats Task Force, aimed at protecting election officials, workers, and volunteers from violence and harassment. This initiative has led to several prosecutions, including a Massachusetts man sentenced to three and a half years for threatening to bomb Hobbs’ office and an Alabama man charged for sending death threats to the Maricopa County Elections Department.
In his voicemails, Russell vehemently attacked Hobbs, calling her a traitor and making explicit threats against her life. The prosecution argued for a two and a half year prison sentence, emphasizing the need for election workers to perform their duties without fear or intimidation and highlighting the importance of deterring similar threats in the future.
Russell’s defense, led by attorney Jazmin Alagha, sought probation, citing Russell’s remorse, financial struggles, depression, and substance abuse as factors influencing his actions. Russell himself described his state during the period of the threats, attributing his behavior to depression, anger, and isolation exacerbated by drug use and an unhealthy consumption of social media and political content.
In a letter of apology to Hobbs, Russell expressed regret and emphasized his non-violent nature, blaming his actions on a period of personal turmoil. Judge Logan, while denying Russell’s request for additional time to settle his affairs, recommended he read the U.S. Constitution during his incarceration to better appreciate the country’s commitment to free and fair elections.