Chad Stark, fifty-four years old from Leander, TX, was arrested on January 21 for allegedly “sending threatening election-related communications to government officials on Jan. 5, 2021” according to the Department of Justice (DOJ).
The FBI conducted this operation with the “Election Threats Task Force” of the DOJ. This case against Stark marks the force’s “first criminal case.”
The Election Threats Task Force was announced by Attorney General Merrick B. Garland and Deputy Attorney General Lisa O. Monaco in June 2021. Garland was nominated by President Joe Biden in January 2021 and has a history of being a lawyer and a judge.
Monaco was appointed by Biden and has held previous positions as Homeland Security Advisor under Obama and working for the DOJ’s National Security Division.
The DOJ describes this task force as “leading 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 Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section leads the force, along with the department of Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section, Civil Rights Division, National Security Division, the FBI, and the Department of Homeland Security.
The Texas Tribune stated that the task force finds most election threats through text messages, emails, phone calls, and postings on social media platforms.
According to the Department of Justice, Chad Stark allegedly wrote a message on Craigslist on January 5, 2021, that was titled “Georgia Patriots it’s time to kill [Official A] the Chinese agent – $10,000.” Three officials are named in Stark’s Craigslist listing, although those names have not been officially released. Here is what Stark’s listing allegedly said:
“Georgia Patriots it’s time for us to take back our state from these Lawless treasonous traitors. It’s time to invoke our Second Amendment right it’s time to put a bullet in the treasonous Chinese [Official A]. Then we work our way down to [Official B] the local and federal corrupt judges. It’s our duty as American Patriots to put an end to the lives of these traitors and take back our country by force we can no longer wait on the corrupt law enforcement in the corrupt courts. If we want our country back, we have to exterminate these people. One good loyal Patriot deer hunter in camo and a rifle can send a very clear message to these corrupt governors… militia up Georgia it’s time to spill blood… we need to pay a visit to [Official C] and her family as well and put a bullet her behind the ears. Let’s be very clear to our local law enforcement who have stood down and watch BLM antifa destroy our country and kill our citizens yet you’ll step up to stop Patriot supporters you’ll enforce face mask and you’ll close American businesses??? Remember one thing local law enforcement the key word being local….. we will find you oathbreakers and we’re going to pay your family to visit your mom your dad your brothers and sisters your children your wife… we’re going to make examples of traitors to our country… death to you and all you communist friends.”
Chad Stark is charged with “communicating interstate threats” and could be looking at five years in prison. According to the Austin American-Statesman, Stark was seen on January 21 by U.S. Judge Susan Hightower in Austin at a federal court hearing.
Hightower stated that Stark is eligible to gain an appointed attorney and granted his release from jail. While he waits until his scheduled arraignment hearing on February 4 in Atlanta, he was informed to stay within the counties of Williamson, Hays, and Travis.
The Atlanta Field Office of the FBI is investigating Stark’s case. Sean F. Mulryne, Deputy Director of Public Integrity Section and Brent Alan Gray, Assistant U.S. Attorney of Georgia will be prosecuting.
