Millcreek Township resident Donna Reese, who plays an active role in politics, revealed that she received a series of alarming and threatening texts after she briefly shared her endeavors regarding the recruitment of GOP poll watchers for the upcoming Nov. 5 election. This situation escalated into a federal case with charges against a Philadelphia man.
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- Donna Reese, serving as an employee of the Pennsylvania Republican Party, experienced a terrifying fallout after publicly disclosing her role as “regional election integrity director” on social media.
- John C. Pollard, a Philadelphia resident aged 62, stands accused of sending threatening texts — including death threats directed at Reese, who is referenced as Victim 1 in the federal indictment.
- Reese, a former school director and candidate for the position of Millcreek supervisor, made a poignant statement to the Erie Times-News, emphasizing that political differences should never resort to threats or violence.
Having served as a school director in Millcreek Township and ran for supervisor, Donna Reese is no stranger to the challenges of political life.
However, the harassment she encountered on September 6 marked a disturbing departure from her previous experiences, resulting in a federal indictment of Philadelphia resident John C. Pollard on accusations of sending threatening texts that included violent language about her demise, a loyal supporter of Donald Trump.
“To see that text,” Reese remarked, “was incredibly unnerving.” The severity of the threats and the current political climate left her unsettled.
In an interview with the Erie Times-News, Reese, at 59, identified herself as “Victim 1,” a designation utilized in the indictment to describe the individual the FBI alleges Pollard targeted with his menacing communications. Aside from this identifier, the indictment provides minimal details regarding her situation.
Private post goes public, and threats arrive
Reese stated that she received the threatening texts while actively engaged in recruiting poll watchers for the pivotal November 5 election, fulfilling her responsibilities as a member of the Pennsylvania Republican Party. The instance of intimidation was triggered by her personal Facebook post made on September 5, according to both the indictment and Reese herself.
“Greetings Trump supporters,” began her post. “I’m in full gear in my new position as Regional Election Integrity Director.” In her communication, she invited any interested individuals to contact her via the personal cell number she provided.
She indicated that a friend publicly shared her private Facebook post on the Reddit platform, ultimately allowing Pollard to acquire her cell number and subsequently bombard her with four menacing texts within a span of ten minutes on September 6, as detailed in the indictment.
The content of the texts, outlined in the indictment, escalated quickly from an initial inquiry about being a poll watcher to explicit threats against Reese’s life. The sequence of messages grew increasingly hostile, with Pollard threatening that her days were numbered and making grotesque statements about skinning her alive.
Immediately recognizing the number associated with the threatening texts, Reese traced it back to Pollard. His Facebook profile reflects his political leanings, showing support for Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic presidential nominee.
“Initially,” Reese confessed regarding the texts, “I thought it was merely the work of an unsophisticated hater.” However, given the violence that had marred the current campaign season, she soon realized the gravity of the situation.
“With two assassination attempts on Trump already, you simply cannot predict someone’s capabilities,” she noted, prompting her to file a report with the FBI. A little over a month later, on October 16, Pollard faced indictment in U.S. District Court in Erie on a felony charge of transmitting interstate threats.
Defendant pleads not guilty in elections threats case
The indictment was unsealed on October 21, coinciding with Pollard’s arrest. The case is being processed in federal court in Erie, which is part of the Pittsburgh-based U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, because the threats were directed towards Reese while she was in Erie County.
During his arraignment on Tuesday, Pollard entered a not guilty plea via videoconference before Chief U.S. Magistrate Judge Richard A. Lanzillo in Erie. Afterward, he was allowed to remain free on an unsecured bond set at $10,000.
The timeline for the trial has yet to be established. If found guilty, Pollard faces a maximum sentence of five years in federal prison. The case is being managed by the Justice Department’s Election Threats Task Force.
Reese participated in the arraignment via videoconference, expressing gratitude toward the FBI and the victims’ advocate for their continuous updates on a case that has significantly affected her life over the past months.
“It has completely upended my world,” Reese remarked, reflecting on the impact of the threats she received.
Reese says no one should be threatened over politics
Reese, previously the owner of General Exterminating, dedicated four years to the Millcreek School Board until early 2018. Although she initiated her campaign for Millcreek supervisor in 2015, she ultimately withdrew due to health issues.
A lifelong Republican, Reese disclosed that she briefly changed her party registration to Democratic to support state Rep. Ryan Bizzarro, who represents Millcreek. In recent years, she has galvanized her support for Trump, particularly during his bid for re-election.
Throughout this ordeal, Reese has maintained that no individual should be subjected to threats due to their political affiliations, asserting that it is not just a matter of personal concern.
“If this were something that happened to a liberal, I would feel equally distressed,” she stated firmly. “I do not wish to take sides. It’s simply appalling that we have descended to this level.”
Contact epalattella@timesnews.com or 814-870-1813. Follow him on X @ETNpalattella.
How has the community responded to the threats received by Donna Reese during her tenure?
**Interview with Donna Reese, Regional Election Integrity Director and Millcreek Township resident**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Donna. Your recent experience has raised significant concern and awareness in the community. Can you share what prompted you to publicly post about your role as Regional Election Integrity Director?
**Donna Reese:** Thank you for having me. I shared my role on social media to engage local GOP supporters and recruit poll watchers for the upcoming election. It wasn’t just about my position; it was about encouraging civic participation in a critical event for our democracy.
**Interviewer:** You mentioned receiving threatening texts shortly after your post. Can you describe how that unfolded?
**Donna Reese:** Absolutely. On September 6, after a friend shared my private Facebook post publicly on Reddit, I started receiving ominous texts from John Pollard. It escalated from a seemingly innocent inquiry about poll watching to grave threats against my life in just a matter of minutes. Those messages were alarming.
**Interviewer:** What types of threats did you receive?
**Donna Reese:** The content became increasingly hostile. Pollard included statements that were not just menacing but quite graphic—threatening my life in violent and disturbing ways. I initially thought it was just an unsophisticated hater, but given the current climate of violence in politics, it quickly became clear this was serious.
**Interviewer:** You filed a report with the FBI after realizing the gravity of the threats. How supportive have law enforcement and the community been during this ordeal?
**Donna Reese:** The FBI took my report seriously, and I’m grateful for their quick response. The community has been overwhelmingly supportive, but it’s crucial we understand that political discourse should never resort to threats or violence, no matter our differences.
**Interviewer:** The defendant, John Pollard, has pleaded not guilty but faces serious charges. How does that make you feel regarding your safety and the implications for political activists like yourself?
**Donna Reese:** It’s unsettling. Knowing that there are individuals out there willing to resort to intimidation is frightening. Yet, I believe it’s essential for us to stand up against these tactics. We must continue our work and advocate for democracy while ensuring that everyone feels safe regardless of their political affiliation.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Donna, for sharing your story. It highlights the importance of addressing not just the political issues at hand but also the safety and well-being of individuals involved in the process.
**Donna Reese:** Thank you for bringing attention to this issue. It’s critical for us to cultivate a political environment where all voices can be heard without fear.
