FAIRBANKS Alaska --  After pleading guilty to two charges of threatening to murder Alaska's two U.S. Senators, a Delta Junction, Alaska man was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Ralph R. Beistline to 32 months in prison and a $5,000 fine.

Jay Allen Johnson, 65, allegedly left 17 threatening voicemails for Alaska's two U.S. Senators over a five-month period, claiming that the calls were intended to retaliate against them for fulfilling their official duties, according to court filings. Johnson sent a message at Senator Lisa Murkowski's Washington, D.C. office on September 2, 2021, including many threats, including a promise to "burn the Senator's properties. The Senator was then asked if he knew what a.50 caliber shell "does to a human head," according to Johnson. On September 29, Johnson left another voicemail, this time threatening to hire an assassin to kill Senator John McCain. Between April and September 2021, Johnson left threatening voicemail messages for Senator Dan Sullivan, including one in which he promised to get his ".50 caliber out," set up a "GoFundMe page for the...shells," and come "with a vengeance mother*ucker."

The calls came from a cellular phone number that the FBI and Capitol Police had tracked back to Johnson in Delta Junction, Alaska, according to the inquiry. Johnson was apprehended by the FBI on October 4, 2021, while driving from Delta Junction to Fairbanks International Airport. The FBI recovered seven unsecured weapons during a subsequent search of Johnson's home, which were prohibited for Johnson to possess due to his prior criminal conviction.

Johnson pleaded guilty to the charges in January of this year. Following his release from jail, Johnson will be subject to a three-year federal protective order preventing him from contacting either U.S. Senator, their family, or staff members. Johnson also agreed to hand up the seven firearms that had been taken from his home.

“Nothing excuses this conduct, threatening our elected officials, an act that attacks our very system of governance,” said U.S. Attorney John E. Kuhn, Jr. of the District of Alaska. “The erosion of civility in our political discourse will never justify threats or acts of violence. Johnson’s actions must be punished, and the Department of Justice will always work to ensure our elected officials can serve without fear of harm.”

"Those performing their official duties should be able to do so without fear for their safety,” said Special Agent in Charge Antony Jung of the FBI Anchorage Field Office. “This case underscores the swift efforts by the FBI, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, and our law enforcement partners as we worked together to address these threats before any potential acts of violence occurred.”

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the United States Capitol Police investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Tansey prosecuted the case.


Wnctimes by Marjorie Farrington April 11, 2022


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