Pennsylvania man charged in threats against political party official

A Pennsylvania man was charged for threatening to kill a political party worker who was recruiting poll watchers, the Department of Justice (DOJ) announced Monday.

John Pollard, 62, allegedly threatened to “kill” and “skin” an employee of a state political party, according to a federal indictment unsealed Monday. The victim was not identified, but the person had posted content on social media attempting to recruit people to serve as poll watchers. 

Pollard allegedly texted the unidentified victim and showed interest in being a poll watcher, but then proceeded to threaten the victim with three texts, according to the DOJ. 

“I will KILL YOU IF YOU DON’T ANSWER ME!,” Pollard texted, according to the indictment. “Your days are numbered, B‑‑‑‑! GONNA F‑‑‑ING FIND YOU AND SKIN YOU ALIVE AND USE YOUR SKIN FOR F‑‑‑ING TOILET PAPER, YOU F‑‑‑ING KKK‑‑T!”

The DOJ said in a news release that Pollard was arrested Monday and appeared in federal court in Philadelphia. He was charged with one count of transmitting interstate threats and could face up to five years in prison if convicted. The DOJ added that the FBI is investigating the case. 

The case was brought by the Justice Department’s Election Threats Task Force, which was formed in 2021.