Man Sentenced for Threatening Calls to Atlanta District Attorney
ATLANTA — An Alabama man has been sentenced to nearly two years in prison for leaving threatening messages for Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis and Sheriff Pat Labat. Arthur Ray Hanson II, a resident of Huntsville, Alabama, made these calls last summer, expressing his anger over an investigation into former President Donald Trump. The phone calls were made just days before Trump and 18 others were indicted in August 2023 regarding efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election.
Details of the Sentencing
On Tuesday, U.S. District Judge J.P. Boulee described Hanson’s behavior as “appalling.” He stated that the fear experienced by the victims was “real and legitimate.” Hanson, who pleaded guilty to leaving threatening messages in June, was sentenced to one year and nine months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. He also has been ordered to pay a fine of $7,500.
Hanson’s Apology
During the hearing, Hanson appeared emotional and tearful as he expressed remorse to both Willis and Labat. “I’m truly sorry for making those phone calls,” he said. “That is not who I am.” Willis shared her apprehension with the judge, explaining that the threats made her fearful not only for herself but also for her daughters and father. “Mom was really scared,” she emphasized.
Impact of the Threats
Sheriff Labat further commented about the threats, revealing that they exposed his family to “the ugly side of the job.” Defense attorney Tyler Wolas argued for a lighter sentence, noting that Hanson has struggled with alcohol abuse and was recently diagnosed with bipolar disorder. He mentioned that after his arrest, Hanson completed an anger management course and attends Alcoholics Anonymous regularly. Three of Hanson’s friends and his son defended him in court, asserting that the calls did not reflect the man they knew.
Understanding Hanson’s Actions
Hanson explained to the court that he had been drinking heavily and did not recall leaving the messages. He expressed his surprise and remorse upon hearing the recordings. Moreover, he insisted that he is not a racist, although he acknowledged that his messages could be perceived that way. He admitted to getting caught up in a “social media frenzy” and has since given up social media and ceased drinking.
The Context of the Threats
The threats were made on August 6, 2023, as part of escalating tensions surrounding Trump’s legal battles. The indictment on August 14 was the fourth criminal case against Trump in a short period. Prosecutors read transcripts of Hanson’s voicemails during the trial. In one voicemail left for Willis, Hanson warned her to be cautious because she would not always have protection. He ominously stated, “When you charge Trump…be looking over your shoulder.” Another voicemail left for Labat threatened severe consequences if he took a mug shot of Trump, saying, “some bad (expletive) is probably gonna happen to you.”
Legal Perspectives and Reactions
Prosecutor Bret Hobson classified Hanson’s crime as “incredibly serious” and pointed out the real harm caused to the victims and their families. He requested a sentence that aligned with the lower end of federal guidelines, emphasizing the need for anyone considering threats against public officials to understand that imprisonment is a possibility.
Judge Boulee indicated that he would have given a longer sentence had it not been for the contextual remarks made by Hanson’s lawyers and loved ones. However, he firmly stated that Hanson’s behavior, specifically the use of racist slurs, was unacceptable and an attempt to demean the victims based on their race.
Moving Forward
In a concluding statement following the hearing, Willis expressed that she had forgiven Hanson. She highlighted the importance of recognizing the racist undertones of the threats in order to instill confidence in the judicial system for others, particularly among Black individuals. As she prepares for her reelection campaign, Willis assured that she will continue to prosecute all cases in her office, regardless of the outcome of the upcoming presidential election.
