Maricopa County District 4 Supervisor, Republican Clint Hickman, thanked the Department of Justice (DOJ) Thursday for arresting Mark Rissi for making violent threats against Hickman and the Arizona Attorney General’s Office (AGO).
“I remember exactly where I was when I heard that voicemail. It was chilling. This wasn’t a prank call. This wasn’t protected speech. This was a serious threat to me and my family. I’m grateful to the Department of Justice and the FBI for taking this case seriously and making an arrest,” Hickman said.
According to the DOJ, authorities arrested Rissi, 64, of Hiawatha, Iowa, for leaving a voicemail for Hickman on September 27th, 2021, making violent threats regarding the 2020 election.
“Hello Mr. [VICTIM], I am glad that you are standing up for democracy and want to place your hand on the Bible and say that the election was honest and fair,” Rissi allegedly said. “I really appreciate that. When we come to lynch your stupid lying Commie [expletive], you’ll remember that you lied on the [expletive] Bible, you piece of [expletive]. You’re gonna die, you piece of [expletive]. We’re going to hang you. We’re going to hang you.”
Moreover, Rissi also left a message for an official at the AGO on December 8th, 2021, making similar threats to hang the official.
“Do your job, [VICTIM], or you will hang with those [expletive] in the end. We will see to it. Torches and pitchforks. That’s your future, [expletive]. Do your job,” Rissi allegedly said.
Although innocent until proven guilty, Rissi is charged with two counts of making a threatening interstate communication and one count of making a threatening telephone call. Rissi will face up to 12 years of jail time if convicted of all counts.
“So I’m speaking out today in hopes that others will follow. Whether it’s a person who shares your politics or your worldview or not, no one should be subjected to this kind of hatred. And if we truly want to keep our country great, we will do everything we can to denounce threats against election workers,” Hickman said, concluding his statement.
The FBI Phoenix Field Office is investigating this case as part of the DOJ’s Election Threats Task Force (ETTF). Created in 2021, the goal of the ETTF is to “address a rise in threats against election workers, administrators, officials, and others associated with the election process.”
Moreover, Rissi is not the only man arrested recently for threatening an Arizona election official. In August, Walter Lee Hoornstra, 50, of Tecumseh, Missouri, was arrested on one count of communicating an interstate threat and one count of making a threatening telephone call. Allegedly angered by Maricopa County Recorder Stephen Richer, Hoornstra left him a message on May 19th, 2021.
“You need to do your [expletive] job right because other people from other states are watching your ass. You [expletive] renege on this deal or give them any more troubles, your ass will never make it to your next little board meeting,” he allegedly said.
KTTN reported that he made this comment in regard to the 2020 election audit being held at the time. Hoornstra worked as the Gainesville R-5 School District’s technology director. His attorney, Joseph Passanise, said Hoornstra was “embarrassed and humbled” by his actions.
– – –
Neil Jones is a reporter for The Arizona Sun Times and The Star News Network. Follow Neil on Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Clint Hickman” by Maricopa County.
