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Jimmy Williams
Former Mesa County Clerk Tina Peters was sentenced to nine years in total on Thursday, marking the end of a high-profile case in Colorado that stemmed from efforts to interfere with the county’s election system following the 2020 presidential election.
Peters, who was convicted on seven out of ten counts in August, was sentenced to serve eight and a half years in the Colorado Department of Corrections and additional time in the Mesa County Detention Center.
Peters was found guilty of attempting to influence a public servant, conspiracy to commit criminal impersonation, first-degree official misconduct, violation of duty, and failing to comply with state regulations. She was acquitted on three other counts, including identity theft and criminal impersonation.
Judge Matthew Barrett, who presided over the case, emphasized Peters’ defiance and lack of remorse before handing down the sentence. “You’re as defiant as a defendant that this court has ever seen,” said Barrett, adding that Peters’ refusal to accept responsibility for her actions contributed to her lengthy sentence.
The charges against Peters stemmed from her role in allowing unauthorized access to the county’s election system in an effort to challenge the integrity of the 2020 presidential election. She allegedly allowed a security card to be misused to gain access to sensitive election data and misled officials about the identity of the individual involved, who had ties to My Pillow CEO Mike Lindell, a prominent promoter of unfounded claims that the election was stolen.
During the sentencing hearing, Peters delivered an emotional 40-minute statement, during which she tried to present evidence that had been ruled inadmissible during the trial. She pleaded for leniency, citing health issues and expressing a desire to help others rather than serve time in prison. “I don’t deserve to be in prison,” she said tearfully. “I can do a lot more good out helping people.”
Judge Barrett, however, was unswayed by Peters’ plea and noted her continuous defiance as a public official, saying she had never taken her responsibilities seriously. “You never once showed remorse for your actions,” Barrett said before sentencing.”You’re as privileged as they come,” he added.
This speech by Judge Matthew Barrett today in sentencing Tina Peters to 9 years for tampering with voter data was brilliant. What struck me most was that it almost word for word applies to Trump. Worth a listen. pic.twitter.com/6wDk9mhntB
— Ron Filipkowski (@RonFilipkowski) October 3, 2024
In addition to her incarceration, Peters was fined $3,000 for her convictions. She was taken into custody immediately after the hearing and transferred to the Mesa County Detention Center to begin serving her sentence. Peters has 21 days to appeal.
The sentencing drew reactions from key Colorado officials. Secretary of State Jena Griswold issued a statement calling Peters’ conviction a victory for election integrity: “We will not allow anyone to threaten our elections. Colorado’s elections are the nation’s gold standard, and this sentence reinforces that truth.”
Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser also praised the outcome, stating: “Tina Peters violated her duty as an election official and seriously compromised trust with her fellow Coloradans. Today’s sentence is fair and just.”
Peters’ case marked the first prosecution of a local election official in connection with security breaches related to the 2020 election. Prosecutors described Peters as “fixated” on election fraud claims, which led her to engage in illegal conduct that jeopardized election integrity.
The trial, which gripped Colorado and drew national attention, served as a warning to other election officials who may consider tampering with voting processes. “This case sends a clear message that there will be consequences for those who seek to undermine our elections,” Weiser said.
Peters’ defense team has not yet indicated whether they will file an appeal.
