Great Lakes Wire

Sandra Bachman, 61, of Batavia, Ohio, was sentenced today before Judge Joyce Draganchuk in the 30th Circuit Court in Ingham County to a prison term ranging from 23 months to five years. The sentencing follows her guilty plea to charges related to leaving a racially and politically motivated death threat for former Michigan State Representative Cynthia A. Johnson in June 2021. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced that Bachman pled guilty in May to one count each of Threat of Terrorism – Attempt, Ethnic Intimidation, and Malicious Use of Telecommunication Services.

Additionally, Bachman pled guilty yesterday to one count of Malicious Use of Telecommunication Services in the 54A District Court in Lansing. This charge is connected to a threatening voicemail left for Michigan State Senator Sarah Anthony in May 2021 when Anthony served in the House of Representatives. As per the plea agreement, this sentence will run concurrently with the circuit court’s sentence.

The incidents were investigated by the Michigan State Police before being referred to the Department of Attorney General for evaluation.

“Threats made against elected officials are serious offenses and cannot be normalized,” Nessel stated. “No public servant should have to sacrifice their own safety while working to serve the constituents they represent. My office remains committed to prosecuting these crimes to the fullest extent of the law.”

Bachman’s district court sentencing for the threat against Senator Anthony is scheduled for July 26, 2024, at 8:30 a.m., before 54A District Court Judge Cynthia Ward.