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Teak Brockbank is a 45-year-old man from Cortez, Colorado, who gained national attention due to his alleged involvement in making violent threats against election officials, a state judge, and federal law enforcement agents. Prior to these incidents, Brockbank was relatively unknown outside his local community. However, his actions have brought him into the spotlight, primarily due to the nature and severity of the threats he allegedly made.
Man Disgruntled With The Government
Brockbank’s background and personal history remain largely undocumented in public records. However, the information that has surfaced portrays him as someone deeply dissatisfied with various aspects of government and law enforcement. Between September 2021 and August 2022, he posted threats on social media, specifically targeting public officials with the intent to intimidate and incite violence. These posts included explicit calls for the execution of election officials in Colorado and Arizona, as well as threats against a Colorado state judge. This behavior strongly suggests a deep-seated anger and a clear willingness to provoke violence against those he viewed as adversaries.
Brockbank’s behavior reflects a broader issue of increasing hostility towards public servants in the United States, particularly in the politically charged environment following the 2020 presidential election. His case is notable not only for the explicitness of the threats but also for the diverse range of targets, including election officials, judiciary members, and federal agents. This suggests a pattern of animosity toward multiple facets of the government, which may stem from personal grievances or broader political ideologies that view these entities as corrupt or illegitimate.
The Investigation Into Him
The FBI Denver Field Office led the investigation into Teak Brockbank as part of the Justice Department’s broader efforts through the Election Threats Task Force. Established in June 2021 by Attorney General Merrick B. Garland and Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco, the task force aims to address and reduce threats of violence against election officials. Its main goal is to ensure that these public servants can carry out their duties without facing intimidation or danger.
The Case On Him Was Extensive
Over several months, between September 2021 and August 2022, Brockbank allegedly posted threats against various public officials using multiple social media accounts. The FBI and the Justice Department actively collected evidence from these posts, which included explicit death threats targeting election officials in Colorado and Arizona, a state judge, and federal law enforcement agents. As a result, this digital trail of threatening messages played a crucial role in building the case against him.
The FBI’s role in this investigation was critical, as they are responsible for assessing and responding to threats that cross state lines, especially when they involve federal crimes such as transmitting interstate threats. In Brockbank’s case, his threats were not only explicit but also targeted a range of officials, which likely prompted a heightened response from the FBI. The investigation would have involved analyzing Brockbank’s online activities, tracing the origin of his social media posts, and collecting sufficient evidence to support the charges of transmitting interstate threats.
A Multi-Agency Investigation
Additionally, the case illustrates the cooperative efforts between various entities within the Justice Department and other federal agencies. The Election Threats Task Force, led by the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section, involves multiple divisions including the Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section, the Civil Rights Division, the National Security Division, and partnerships with agencies like the Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. These collaborations enable comprehensive investigations and reinforce the federal government’s commitment to protecting public officials from threats and violence.
Evidence That He Acquire Firearms Illegally
Teak Brockbank’s illegal acquisition and possession of firearms is a significant aspect of his case, highlighting his willingness to defy legal restrictions and further his threatening behavior. Despite having a felony conviction from 2002 in Utah for attempted theft by receipt of stolen property, Brockbank continued to illegally possess firearms. Under federal law, individuals convicted of a felony are prohibited from purchasing or possessing firearms and ammunition. However, Brockbank disregarded these legal constraints and managed to obtain firearms, which he later flaunted on social media and stored in his possession.
His Apple iCloud Gave Him Away
The investigation into Brockbank’s activities uncovered numerous instances of illegal firearm possession. Evidence from his Apple iCloud account revealed photographs and videos of Brockbank handling various firearms, including rifles, despite his status as a convicted felon. In one video from March 2020, Brockbank is seen firing multiple rounds from a rifle, clearly demonstrating his disregard for federal laws that prohibit him from such activities. These visual records were crucial in illustrating Brockbank’s active and ongoing possession of firearms, which he should not have legally obtained or handled.
Attempted To Purchase A Firearm
Further complicating his legal situation, Brockbank attempted to purchase additional firearms as recently as 2023. Despite knowing that he was barred from such purchases, Brockbank sought to buy a firearm but was ultimately denied due to his felony record. After this denial, he even appealed the decision, showcasing a persistent disregard for the legal restrictions placed upon him. His appeal was unsuccessful, and he was formally informed by the state of Colorado in September 2023 that he was not legally permitted to purchase firearms. This correspondence was found during the investigation, further confirming his awareness of his illegal status and his deliberate attempts to circumvent it.
A Threat Turned Serious
Brockbank’s illegal possession and attempts to acquire firearms are not just legal violations but also indicators of his potential threat to public safety. His documented threats against public officials, combined with his access to weapons, paint a picture of someone who is not only willing to intimidate others through words but also prepared to act on those threats if given the opportunity. The intersection of his illegal firearm possession and the violent rhetoric he espoused on social media platforms significantly escalated the perceived danger he posed, leading to swift law enforcement intervention. This aspect of Brockbank’s case highlights the critical importance of enforcing firearm regulations, particularly for individuals with a known history of violence or criminal behavior.
An Arrest Warrant Was In Place
Teak Brockbank’s arrest was the culmination of a focused investigation by the FBI and the Department of Justice following his alarming threats against public officials. These threats, made over social media, targeted election officials, a state judge, and federal law enforcement agents, reflecting a severe escalation in violent rhetoric. The details of his arrest reveal the dangerous nature of his threats and his willingness to resist law enforcement violently.
Brockbank Gave Warning To The Agencies
Brockbank’s threats were explicit and frequent. One notable instance occurred on July 20, 2022, when he posted a message threatening federal law enforcement agencies such as the ATF, CIA, and FBI. He warned that if these agencies showed up at his house, he would shoot them without any warning and only call the sheriff afterward. His language was aggressive and indicated a readiness to commit violence, stating he felt “completely justified” in taking such extreme actions. This threat, among others, prompted a swift response from federal authorities, highlighting the severity of the potential threat he posed to public safety and the rule of law.
Careful Planning Of The Arrest
The arrest itself was a strategic operation, given Brockbank’s explicit warning that he would shoot law enforcement agents on sight. When federal agents moved to arrest him in Cortez, Colorado, they had to consider his stated intentions to use lethal force against them. This required careful planning and coordination to ensure both the safety of the arresting officers and the public. Details about the exact circumstances of his arrest have not been disclosed, but it’s clear that the arrest involved significant precautions given Brockbank’s previous threats to resist violently.
The Charges That He Face
Teak Brockbank is facing serious federal charges for his alleged actions, specifically for transmitting interstate threats. Under U.S. federal law, transmitting interstate threats is a criminal offense that involves sending communications containing threats to harm others across state lines. This can include threats made over the internet, by phone, or through other means of interstate communication. The charges against Brockbank stem from multiple threats he allegedly made online towards various public officials, including election officials in Colorado and Arizona, a Colorado state judge, and federal law enforcement agents.
A Federal Charge
The charges are rooted in specific federal statutes designed to protect individuals from threats of violence, especially those that could interfere with the functioning of public offices and law enforcement. In Brockbank’s case, the threats were not only explicit but also directed at individuals in their professional capacities, which heightened the severity of the offense. The nature of these threats—targeting election officials, a judge, and federal agents—suggests an intent to intimidate and influence governmental operations, which is a significant aggravating factor under federal law.
If Convicted Of Transmitting Threats
If convicted of transmitting interstate threats, Brockbank could face a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison. This penalty reflects the seriousness with which the federal justice system views threats against public officials and law enforcement. Such threats are seen as direct attacks on the integrity of democratic institutions and the rule of law, making their prosecution a priority for the Department of Justice.
Additionally, these charges underscore the importance of safeguarding public officials and ensuring they can perform their duties without fear of violence or intimidation. By pursuing these charges, the Justice Department is sending a clear message that threats of violence, especially those aimed at disrupting the democratic process or intimidating public servants, will be met with stringent legal consequences.
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