California Man Indicted for Threatening Fulton County DA Over Trump Prosecution

Marc Shultz, a 66-year-old resident of Chula Vista, California, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Atlanta for allegedly making threats against Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis. The charges stem from multiple threatening comments Shultz posted on YouTube live stream videos on October 4 and 5, 2023, including a statement that Willis "will be killed like a dog" for prosecuting former President Donald Trump.

Why this matters: This incident highlights the growing concern overthreats against public officials, particularly those involved in high-profile cases, and the importance of safeguarding their safety. It also underscores the need for authorities to take such threats seriously and prosecute them to the fullest extent of the law to maintain the integrity of the justice system.

Shultz made his initial appearance in federal court in San Diego on Thursday and will be formally arraigned in Atlanta in June. U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan emphasized the severity of threatening public officials, stating, "Sending death threats to a public official is a criminal offense that will not be tolerated." Keri Farley, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Atlanta, stressed the importance of safeguarding government officials from intimidation.

DA Fani Willis, who is currently prosecuting Trump and 18 of his supporters for allegedly interfering in the 2020 presidential election in Georgia, released a statement on Friday afternoon. She said, "On the same day Senator Bill Cowsert had the audacity to question whether an elected African American female District Attorney deserves protection from death threats, the United States Attorney and the FBI announced another indictment of someone who threatened my life." Willis thanked U.S. Attorney Buchanan, his staff, and the FBI for valuing the life of an African American elected official and for their diligent efforts in ensuring the safety of herself, her staff, and their families.

The indictment against Shultz comes amid ongoing controversy surrounding Willis' prosecution of Trump. The former president was indicted in August 2023, and several of his co-defendants have since accepted plea deals, with six of the original charges being dropped. The Georgia Court of Appeals is currently considering an appeal from Trump and the remaining co-defendants over Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee's decision to allow Willis to remain on the case despite her romantic relationship with former special prosecutor Nathan Wade.

The case against Shultz is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Bret R. Hobson and Brent Alan Gray. Shultz is presumed innocent of the charges, and it will be the government's burden to prove his guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial. The indictment underscores the severity with which federal authorities are treating threats against public officials, particularly those involved in high-profile cases like the prosecution of former President Trump.

Key Takeaways

• Marc Shultz, 66, indicted for threatening GA DA Fani Willis on YouTube.
• Shultz allegedly said Willis "will be killed like a dog" for prosecuting Trump.
• Shultz faces federal charges, emphasizing the seriousness of threats against officials.
• DA Willis thanks authorities for protecting her life and ensuring her staff's safety.
• Case highlights growing concern over threats against public officials, especially in high-profile cases.