Ohio Woman Charged With Threatening Black Michigan Lawmakers
LANSING, Mich. (AP) — An Ohio woman was charged Tuesday with leaving threatening, racist voicemails for two Black state lawmakers in Michigan.
Sandra Bachman, 58, is from Batavia, about 18 miles (29 kilometers) east of Cincinnati. She is accused of calling Democratic Rep. Sarah Anthony of Lansing last May about a bill and saying "you won't see the bullet coming" and "we're coming to Michigan soon to remove you from your post."
In a message left for Democratic Rep. Cynthia Johnson of Detroit last June, Bachman allegedly called her racial slurs and threatened to kill her.
Bachman was charged in Lansing district court with making a terrorist threat or false report of terrorism — a 20-year felony — ethnic intimidation and malicious use of telecommunications services.
She is due to appear in person for an arraignment on March 31.
"This rise in threats against elected officials will not be tolerated," Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel said in a statement. "Those who think hiding behind a phone or keyboard will prevent them from facing criminal charges are severely mistaken."
The Associated Press could not immediately determine if Bachman has a lawyer.
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