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Nessel's office files charges against Michigan resident making threats to officials

February 25, 2021
<p>Sen. Debbie Stabenow speaks at a canvass launch event in Lansing, Michigan, on Nov. 3, 2020.</p>

Sen. Debbie Stabenow speaks at a canvass launch event in Lansing, Michigan, on Nov. 3, 2020.

Photo by Alyte Katilius | The State News

On Feb. 23, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced criminal charges against two men for reportedly making threats against public officials leading up to and following the November general election.

According to the press release, Daniel Thompson, 62, living in Harrison, is charged with three counts of malicious use of service provided by a telecommunications service provider, a six-month misdemeanor and a $1,000 fine.

Thompson left threatening messages for U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow on Jan. 5 from Livingston County.

In a voicemail message for Stabenow, Thompson identified himself as a Republican, used vulgar language and threatened violence meant to intimidate the public officials.

He said was angry about November 2020 election results, joined a Michigan militia and that there would be violence if the election results were not changed. In an email to Stabenow’s office, he made threatening remarks and used vulgar language as well.

Thompson also made vulgar and threatening remarks in a phone conversation with a member of U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin’s office on Jan. 19 from Clare County. He made another threatening call to Slotkin from Livingston County on April 30, 2020.

In the phone conversation, he claimed people will die and used violent references. He referenced what happened at the Capitol building on Jan. 6.

"I want to thank Michigan State Police, the FBI, Capitol Police, and Attorney General Nessel for their attention to this case and for their commitment to taking violent threats seriously," Slotkin said in a separate press release with her statement.

When Slotkin's office first received the threatening calls, her office immediately reported them to state and federal law enforcement.

"I want to make clear that law enforcement will be involved in each and every threat we receive," she said.

"Myself and my colleagues in elected office, particularly women, are unfortunately no strangers to violent, threatening calls and comments — and it has got to stop," Slotkin said. "Not just for our safety and the safety of our staff, but for the health and functioning of our democracy."

Clinton Stewart, 43, from Douglas, Georgia, is charged with one count of malicious use of service provided by a telecommunications service provider, a six-month misdemeanor and a $1,000 fine.

On Sept. 18, 2020, Stewart left a threatening voicemail message for Michigan Court of Claims Judge Cynthia Stephens. He accused “activist judges” of making rulings that favored Joe Biden to win the election through mail-in ballots, according to the press release.

"It is unacceptable and illegal to intimidate or threaten public officials," Nessel said. "To those who think they can do so by hiding behind a keyboard or phone, we will find you and we will prosecute you, to the fullest extent of the law. No elected official should have to choose between doing their job and staying safe."

Both defendants' arraignments are pending. No other court dates have been set.

Stabenow could not be reached for comment at the time of publication.

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