On October 3, 2024, Tina Peters, the former clerk of Mesa County, Colorado, was sentenced to nine years in prison for offenses linked to a breach of the county's voting system. She promoted the unfounded conspiracy theory that Donald Trump lost the 2020 election to President Joe Biden because of ballot fraud.
Before her sentencing, Tina Peters stated that she had never acted with malice to violate the law and emphasized her intention to serve the people of Mesa County. Peters faced allegations of granting access to the voting system to an expert associated with My Pillow CEO Mike Lindell, a prominent supporter of the Trump election conspiracy theory.
According to CNBC, District Court Judge Matthew Barrett told Peters:
“You are no hero. You’re a charlatan who used and is still using your prior position in office to peddle a snake oil that’s been proven to be junk time and time again.”
Barrett stated that Tina Peters's lies were well-documented and emphasized the seriousness of her convictions, expressing his belief that she would repeat her actions if given the chance. The judge remarked that Peters was one of the most defiant defendants the court had encountered.
Moreover, Mesa County District Attorney Daniel Rubenstein informed Barrett that Peters provided a statement to the court in the pre-sentence investigation report, offering excuses and justifications without ever acknowledging that her actions were inappropriate or that she mishandled the situation.
Tina Peters was taken into custody after Barrett denied her lawyer's request for her release
Daniel Rubenstein also added that a 12-step program begins with acknowledging a problem which Peters failed to do, making rehabilitation meaningless for someone who believed they hadn't done anything wrong.
Following Barrett's rejection of her lawyer's request for her release, Peters was taken into custody. In August 2024, she was found guilty by a trial jury on seven criminal charges.
Before her sentencing, Matt Crane, the director of the Colorado County Clerks Association, informed Barrett that Peters' false allegations had directly resulted in death threats and threats against the lives and families of election workers. He expressed that she had willingly supported individuals who believed violence was an acceptable way to make a point.
During the sentencing hearing, Tina Peters expressed that she was surprised by how she was portrayed and felt sympathy for her critics who were advocating for severe penalties. She stated that she was appalled by the situation and felt sorry for those who criticized her, emphasizing her belief that she was a child of God and that it was important for someone to take a stand.
According to The Guardian, she also informed the judge that she could not go to prison because she relied on a magnetic mattress, which she has used since 1995 to manage health issues like chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia.
Shortly after Tina Peters was sentenced, Donald Trump reportedly addressed attendees at a campaign rally in Michigan, asserting that he won the 2020 election, which he claimed was rigged.
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