North Dakota Man Indicted for Threats Against Augusta National Golf Club Employee
A federal grand jury in the Southern District of Georgia has indicted Joseph Armand Zimmer, 48, of North Dakota, for making threats against an employee of the Augusta National Golf Club. Acting U.S. Attorney Tara M. Lyons announced the indictment, charging Zimmer with Threats in Interstate Communication.
According to court documents, on February 18, 2025, Zimmer allegedly made a phone call to the Augusta National Golf Club and issued multiple violent threats to the employee who answered. These threats included statements that he would “throw [the individual] in a cell and have [her] set on fire,” and that he would “blow [her] head off.”
Zimmer was apprehended on April 8, 2025, in Las Vegas, Nevada, and made his initial court appearance in the District of Nevada on April 9, 2025. He will be required to appear in the Southern District of Georgia to face the charge.
Acting U.S. Attorney Lyons stated, “Those who make threats against members of our community in violation of federal law will be held accountable, as we continue to work with our law enforcement partners to identify and bring to justice those who seek to intimidate and instill fear in our citizens.”
If convicted, Zimmer faces a maximum sentence of five years in federal prison. There is no parole in the federal system.
FBI Atlanta Special Agent in Charge Paul Brown emphasized the seriousness with which the agency treats threatening communications, stating, “The FBI treats threatening communications with the utmost seriousness and will dedicate all available resources to locating and prosecuting those responsible for such actions. We trust that this indictment sends a clear message to anyone contemplating making threats, whether genuine or fabricated, through electronic means.”
The case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Patricia G. Rhodes. An indictment contains only charges, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
