Mesa County Clerk and Colorado Republican Secretary of State candidate Tina Peters reacts to the early election results during a primary vigil party on June 28, 2022 in Sedalia, Colorado.
Mark Piscotti | Getty Images
Tina Petersa former Colorado county clerk who embraced the former president’s false conspiracy theories Donald Trump lost 2020 election was sentenced Thursday to nine years in prison for crimes related to county voting system violations stemming from ballot fraud.
Peters was immediately taken into custody after Judge Matthew Barrett rejected a request from Peters’ attorneys that she remain free.
“I’m sure you would do it over again if you could,” Barrett said sternly before sentencing the former Mesa County clerk.
The judge told Peters, “You are the most defiant defendant this court has ever seen.” Prosecutors asked for a maximum sentence of 20 years, while Peters asked for probation.
In August, a jury found Peters guilty of seven criminal charges, including attempting to influence a public servant, conspiracy to impersonate, breach of duty and failing to comply with a request from the secretary of state.
Former Mesa County Clerk Tina Peters observes during the trial on Friday, March 3, 2023, in Grand Junction, Colorado.
Scott Crabtree | Associated Press
She is accused of using someone else’s security badge to let others into her county’s election system.
The person using this badge is affiliated with Mike LindellThe CEO of My Pillow and a leading proponent of the idea that Trump lost re-election due to ballot fraud.
Peters falsely accused Dominion Voting Systems, Mesa County’s election system, of being involved in the alleged scheme against Trump.
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