A federal prison sentence of 24 months was handed down to a Florida man on Tuesday for sending threats to various individuals, including Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold.
Richard Kantwill, according to a news release from the Colorado Secretary of State Office, has been sentenced to three years of supervised release and has been ordered to pay a $10,000 fine.
Kantwill was found guilty on four counts of interstate transmission of threatening communication, including a threat of violence against Griswold. The release states that it used racial, misogynistic, sexist, and profane slurs.
On February 9, 2024, a threat was issued following the U.S. Supreme Court’s hearing of the case Donald J. Trump v. Norma Anderson et al. The case revolved around Trump’s eligibility for Colorado’s Presidential Primary ballot, in light of his involvement in the insurrection that took place on January 6, 2021.
The Supreme Court has issued a ruling stating that states are not allowed to enforce Section 3 of the 14th Amendment for federal candidates until Congressional action is taken. This ruling has enabled Trump to be included on the ballot.
Griswold highlighted the significance of treating these threats with utmost seriousness.
“Threats to try to intimidate election officials are unacceptable. It’s important that threats like these are taken seriously and that bad actors are charged for their actions. I want to thank law enforcement and the prosecutors who brought this man to justice,” she said.
According to the release, Griswold has been the target of more than 2,300 violent or death threats since September 2023. Furthermore, three individuals have already been convicted or pleaded guilty for making threats against her.