Description: Lincoln, Nebraska criminal defense lawyer represented defendant charged with making multiple threatening posts on an Instagram page associated with an election official.

Travis Ford, 42, of Lincoln, made multiple threats in August 2021 toward the election official, specifically: “Do you feel safe? You shouldn’t. Do you think Soros will/can protect you?” and “Your security detail is far too thin and incompetent to protect you. This world is unpredictable these days….anything can happen to anyone.”

“The Justice Department will not tolerate illegal threats of violence against public officials,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “Threats of violence against election officials are dangerous for people’s safety and dangerous for our democracy, and we will use every resource at our disposal to disrupt and investigate those threats and hold perpetrators accountable.”

“Threatening violence against election workers in an attempt to intimidate them while in performance of their duties will not be tolerated,” said FBI Director Christopher Wray. “Threats to election workers have no place in our society, and today’s plea demonstrates the success of our collaborative efforts to ensure the safety of the workers we entrust to effectuate the democratic process.”

“We are proud to work with our partners at FBI Denver, the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Nebraska, and the Justice Department’s Criminal Division to hold this defendant accountable for threatening an election official in Colorado,” said U.S. Attorney Cole Finegan for the District of Colorado. “If you make online threats of violence, do not count on remaining anonymous.”

Ford also posted similar messages on Instagram pages associated with the President of the United States and with another public figure.

Ford is scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 6 and faces up to two years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite, Jr. of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Steven A. Russell for the District of Nebraska, and Assistant Director Luis Quesada of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division made the announcement.

FBI Denver is investigating the case, with the assistance of FBI Omaha.

Trial Attorney Jonathan E. Jacobson of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Tessie L. Smith for the District of Nebraska are prosecuting the case. Substantial assistance was provided by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Aaron M. Teitelbaum and Cyrus Y. Chung for the District of Colorado.

This case is part of the Justice Department’s Election Threats Task Force. Announced by Attorney General Merrick B. Garland and launched by Deputy Attorney General Lisa O. Monaco in June 2021, the task force has led the department’s efforts to address threats of violence against election workers, and to ensure that all election workers — whether elected, appointed, or volunteer — are able to do their jobs free from threats and intimidation. The task force engages with the election community and state and local law enforcement to assess allegations and reports of threats against election workers, and has investigated and prosecuted these matters where appropriate, in partnership with FBI field offices and U.S. Attorneys’ Offices throughout the country. Nearly a year after its formation, the Task Force is continuing this work and supporting the United States Attorneys’ Offices and FBI Field Offices nationwide as they carry on the critical work that the Task Force has begun.

06/16/2022 1 INFORMATION as to defendant Travis Ford. (JAB) (Entered: 06/16/2022)
06/16/2022 2 CRIMINAL COVER SHEET as to defendant Travis Ford. ACCESS TO THE PDF DOCUMENT IS RESTRICTED TO CASE PARTICIPANTS AND THE COURT PURSUANT TO THE E-GOVERNMENT ACT AND FEDERAL RULE OF CRIMINAL PROCEDURE 49.1(a). ALL COUNSEL OF RECORD IN MULTI-DEFENDANT CASES MAY ACCESS THIS DOCUMENT. (JAB) (Entered: 06/16/2022)
06/16/2022 3 WAIVER of Indictment by Attorney Jason E. Troia as to defendant Travis Ford. (JAB) (Entered: 06/16/2022)
06/16/2022 4 JOINT MOTION to Conduct Plea Hearing by Remote Conference by Attorney Tessie L. Smith, Jason E. Troia as to defendant Travis Ford. (JAB) (Entered: 06/16/2022)
06/16/2022 5 ORDER granting 4 Motion to Conduct Plea Hearing by Remote Conference as to Travis Ford. The parties have jointly moved the Court, pursuant to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES) Act, Pub. L. No. 116-136, Section 15002(b), 134 Stat. 281, and General Order 2020-07, to conduct the defendant's change of plea hearing by video teleconferencing, or telephone conferencing if video teleconferencing is not reasonably available. The Court finds that, considering the defendant's potential sentencing and interest in ending pretrial detention, that the change of plea cannot be further delayed without serious harm to the interests of justice. Accordingly, the parties' Joint Motion to Conduct Plea Hearing by Remote Conference is granted. Ordered by Magistrate Judge Cheryl R. Zwart. (JAB) (Entered: 06/16/2022)
06/16/2022 6 TEXT MINUTE ENTRY for proceedings held before Magistrate Judge Cheryl R. Zwart on 6/16/2022 as to defendant Travis Ford. Hearing held by videoconference with consent of the defendant and the District Judge. Appointment of counsel waived, defendant has retained counsel. Waiver of Indictment explained. Information accepted. Defendant arraigned on Information. Defendant's oral consent to proceed before Magistrate Judge accepted. Plea Hearing held. Defendant pleads guilty to Count I of the Information. The Court finds that the plea is knowing, intelligent and voluntary and that there is a factual basis for it. Recommended that plea and plea agreement be accepted at or before sentencing. Sentencing is scheduled for 10/6/2022 at 1:30 p.m. before Judge Gerrard. Written Findings and Recommendation will be issued. Government is not moving for detention. Defendant released on his own recognizance. Order forthcoming. Appearance for Plaintiff: Jonathan E. Jacobson and Tessie L. Smith; For Defendant: Jason E. Troia, retained. Courtroom Deputy: Jeri A. Bierbower. Reporter: Digital Recorder. Time Start: 9:01 AM; Time Stop: 9:32 AM; Time in Court: 31 Minutes. (JAB) (Entered: 06/16/2022)
06/16/2022 7 AUDIO FILE. Audio as to Defendant (1) Travis Ford. Court Date & Time [ 6/16/2022 9:01:14 AM ]. File Size [ 7284 KB ]. Run Time [ 00:30:21 ]. (Arraignment and Plea). (auto-docket). (Entered: 06/16/2022)
06/16/2022 8 PETITION to enter plea of guilty as to defendant Travis Ford. (JAB) (Entered: 06/16/2022)
06/16/2022 9 PLEA AGREEMENT as to defendant Travis Ford. (JAB) (Entered: 06/16/2022)


47 U.S.C. 223(a)(1)(c) provides:

Whoever—
(1) in interstate or foreign communica-
tions—
(A) by means of a telecommunications de-
vice knowingly—
(i) makes, creates, or solicits, and
(ii) initiates the transmission of,
any comment, request, suggestion, proposal,
image, or other communication which is ob-
scene or child pornography, with intent to
abuse, threaten, or harass another person;
(B) by means of a telecommunications de-
vice knowingly—
(i) makes, creates, or solicits, and
(ii) initiates the transmission of,
any comment, request, suggestion, proposal,
image, or other communication which is ob-
scene or child pornography, knowing that
the recipient of the communication is under
18 years of age, regardless of whether the
maker of such communication placed the
call or initiated the communication;
(C) makes a telephone call or utilizes a
telecommunications device, whether or not
conversation or communication ensues,
without disclosing his identity and with in-
tent to abuse, threaten, or harass any spe-
cific person;
* * *

Outcome: 06/16/2022 10 FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATION ON PLEA OF GUILTY to the Honorable John M. Gerrard, United States District Judge, that after de novo review, the court accept the guilty plea and plea agreement, and find the defendant guilty of the crime to which the defendant tendered a guilty plea as to defendant Travis Ford. If any party desires to object to the findings and recommendation, they shall do so no later than 14 calendar days following the date of the filing of the plea transcript, or the audio recording of the proceeding, whichever is earlier. Ordered by Magistrate Judge Cheryl R. Zwart. (JAB) (Entered: 06/16/2022)
06/16/2022 11 ORDER ON SENTENCING SCHEDULE as to defendant Travis Ford. Sentencing set for 10/6/2022 at 01:30 PM in Courtroom 1, Robert V. Denney Federal Building, 100 Centennial Mall North, Lincoln, NE before Judge John M. Gerrard. Ordered by Magistrate Judge Cheryl R. Zwart. (JAB) (Entered: 06/16/2022)
06/16/2022 12 LETTER BY CLERK that a transcript request was sent to Brenda Fauber for transcription regarding Change of Plea Hearing 6 . Transcript ordered by Magistrate Judge Cheryl R. Zwart as to defendant Travis Ford. ACCESS TO THE PDF DOCUMENT IS RESTRICTED TO CASE PARTICIPANTS AND THE COURT PURSUANT TO THE E-GOVERNMENT ACT AND FEDERAL RULE OF CRIMINAL PROCEDURE 49.1(a). ALL COUNSEL OF RECORD IN MULTI-DEFENDANT CASES MAY ACCESS THIS DOCUMENT. (MKR) (Entered: 06/16/2022)

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