Alabama Man Sentenced for Threatening Fulton County Officials Over Trump Case

Arthur Ray Hanson, II, 59, of Huntsville, Alabama, has been sentenced to one year and nine months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for making interstate threats to Fulton County Sheriff Patrick Labat and District Attorney Fani Willis. The threats were connected to Hanson’s frustration over their roles in the Fulton County, Georgia, investigation into former President Donald Trump. Hanson was also fined $7,500 as part of his sentence.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office reported that on August 6, 2023, Hanson left two voicemails on the Fulton County Government customer service line—first addressing Sheriff Labat, then District Attorney Willis. In his message to Labat, Hanson warned of violence if a mugshot of Trump were taken as part of the investigation, stating, “If you think you gonna take a mugshot of my President Trump and it’s gonna be okay, you gonna find out that… some bad [expletive]’s gonna happen to you.” He further stated, “I’m warning you right now before you [expletive] up your life and get hurt real bad.”

In his voicemail to District Attorney Willis, Hanson issued threats intended to cause fear, saying, “Watch it when you’re going to the car at night… watch everywhere that you’re going.” He implied Willis would be vulnerable, warning her to “be looking over your shoulder” if she continued pursuing Trump’s case. Hanson’s messages referenced the potential for future harm, urging Willis to recognize that “what you put out there… comes back at you ten times harder.”

U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan emphasized that threatening violence against public officials endangers the democratic process, asserting that “anyone who threatens to harm or intimidate [public servants] will face the consequences of their actions.” FBI Acting Special Agent in Charge Sean Burke echoed this sentiment, stating that threats against officials “are a threat against our democratic process” and confirmed the agency’s commitment to holding individuals accountable for criminal intimidation.

Hanson pleaded guilty to one count of transmitting interstate threats on July 3, 2024, acknowledging his actions. Judge J.P. Boulee presided over Hanson’s sentencing.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with Assistant U.S. Attorneys Bret R. Hobson and Brent Alan Gray prosecuting. Upon completion of his sentence, Hanson will be required to follow strict conditions set during his three-year supervised release, including prohibitions on direct or indirect contact with the officials involved in this case.