On April 4, 2024, Andrew Hess was arraigned in the 50th District Court in Pontiac, Michigan on the charge of “making a terrorist threat,” which is a felony offense that carries a maximum penalty of 20 years confinement and a $20,000 fine.
Hess, who is represented by Robert Muise of the American Freedom Law Center, voluntarily surrendered himself to the warrant that was issued, and he entered a plea of “not guilty” during his arraignment. Hess was released on a personal recognizance bond.
The felony charge was brought by the Oakland County Prosecutor.
During a contentious ballot recount in Oakland County last December where allegations of election improprieties were ignored by Oakland County election officials, Hess walked outside of the recount room and allegedly made the statement, “hang Joe for treason,” allegedly referring to Joe Rozell, the director of elections in Oakland County, according to the prosecutor’s office.
Following this alleged “threat,” Hess returned to the recount room and had multiple interactions with Rozell and other election officials without incident. Deputies from the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office were present, and even after speaking with Hess about the alleged comment, took no action against Hess whatsoever and allowed him to return to the recount room.
While this alleged “terrorist threat” took place in December 2023, the Oakland County Prosecutor waited until April 1, 2024, to file a criminal complaint, which itself demonstrates that the alleged safety concerns are bogus and that politics are driving this prosecution.
CASE UPDATE (May 2, 2024): We filed a motion to dismiss.
Br in Support of Mot to Dismiss - People v Hess--Final--5-2-24