Ohio resident Sandra Bachman has been charged with ethnic intimidation and making a false report or threat of terrorism after she left messages threatening two Black Michigan lawmakers. She was also charged with two counts of malicious use of telecommunications services.
Bachman left threatening voicemails for Democratic Michigan state Representatives Sarah Anthony and Cynthia Johnson last year.
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel said in a statement:
"This rise in threats against elected officials will not be tolerated. Those who think hiding behind a phone or keyboard will prevent them from facing criminal charges are severely mistaken. I appreciate the work done across state lines to bring accountability in this case."
This is not the first time that Representative Johnson has been threatened, and she said that she hoped Bachman's case proceeds more smoothly than the stalled case against a man who was charged in January of last year.
She said:
"I hope that we can turn a page one day where people who do bad things to people really pay for what they do and not be given a slap on the wrist."
In her voicemail to Representative Anthony, Bachman allegedly said:
"[You] need to cancel that bill against the vets, you little traitor, and, um, you won’t see the bullet coming, let me tell you that. So, stop this s*** and you’re fired. We’ll be coming to Michigan soon to remove you from your post."
The voicemail left for Johnson was even more explicit.
It contained multiple racial slurs—which we will not repeat here—and the message:
"...we are going to get you. You will die. You are one of the worst offenders. We actually have a tier too, in like points for how much you are worth once we kill you. You're going to die and I'm happy about it. The whole world will be rejoicing, just know that. Sleep well."
Twitter users called for Bachman to face real consequences for her actions.
If Bachman is convicted on all counts, she could be facing over 20 years in prison.
Her arraignment is scheduled for March 31.
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