Woman who threatened Reps. Sarah Anthony, Cynthia Johnson with racist messages pleads guilty

LANSING — An Ohio woman who threatened a pair of Michigan legislators in 2021 has pleaded guilty to making a threat of terrorism, the Michigan Attorney General's Office announced.

Sandra Bachman, 61, of Batavia, Ohio, pleaded guilty Wednesday in Ingham County Circuit Court to attempted threat of terrorism, a five-year felony, ethnic intimidation, a two-year misdemeanor, and malicious use of a telecommunication services, a sixth-month misdemeanor.

Bachman was accused of leaving a race-based and politically motivated death threat for then-Michigan state Rep. Cynthia Johnson, D-Detroit, in June 2021. She was charged in March 2022.

Bachman had been charged with making a false report or threat of terrorism, a 20-year felony. Under a plea agreement, Bachman also must make a written apology to Johnson and undergo ongoing mental health assessment and treatment.

Bachman also was accused of leaving a threatening voicemail for then-state Rep. Sen. Sarah Anthony, D-Lansing, in May 2021, which led to a misdemeanor charge. Online court records indicate Bachman has a June 25 plea hearing in district court on a charge of malicious use of telecommunication services.

"We must uphold the safety and integrity of our democratic institutions, and this includes protecting public servants and holding accountable those who threaten to harm them,” Attorney General Dana Nessel said in a release.

Bachman will be sentenced June 26 before Judge Joyce Draganchuk. She was remanded to jail pending sentencing.

In 2022, officials said Bachman threatened Black state legislators from Lansing and Detroit.

Bachman left a voicemail for Anthony saying, "We'll be coming to Michigan soon to remove you from your post."

The message also said, "And, um, you won’t see the bullet coming, let me tell you that," the AG's office said in a 2022 release.

The following month, Bachman left a voicemail for Johnson, saying "we are going to get you. You will die," officials said. That message also included racist rhetoric, they said.

The caller, who also threatened Johnson's family, said the lawmaker could be targeted with a long-range weapon while grocery shopping.

She signed off the call with the words: "Sleep well."

Michigan State Police investigated both incidents and referred them to the AG's office.

This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Woman who threatened Reps. Sarah Anthony, Cynthia Johnson pleads guilty to terror charge