Philadelphia man accused of threatening poll watcher recruiter

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The U.S. Department of Justice is accusing a Philadelphia man of threatening to kill and “flay” a representative of a state political party who was trying to recruit poll watchers.

John Pollard, 62, sent a text message to the anonymous representative saying he was “interested in becoming a poll watcher” after obtaining the person’s phone number from a social media post, according to a press release. The post was recruiting volunteers to “help observe the polls on Election Day,” officials wrote.

Pollard is accused of sending three threats to the employee within ten minutes of first contact being made. One of the messages said he was going to “SPELL (the victim) ALIVE,” officials wrote.

He made his first appearance in federal court Tuesday after being arrested Monday. He is charged with one count of transmitting interstate threats, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison.