Metro Detroit Man To Be Sentenced For Threatening Whitmer

WESTLAND, MI — A Westland man is waiting to be sent to prison after sending numerous harassing and threatening emails to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, according to the Michigan Attorney General's Office.

Jason Tolonen, 51, pleaded no contest last week to one count of using a computer to commit a crime and one count of malicious use of a telecommunications service.

If convicted on both charges, he faces up to four years in prison and/or heavy fines. He will be sentenced June 12 in Wayne County’s 18th District Court.

He will be required to attend Alcoholics Anonymous and refrain from “repeated, unwanted contact with any individual, business, or governmental entity, officials said.

He must also submit to mental health and substance abuse evaluations and any recommendations will be incorporated into his sentence, officials said.

Tolonen sent numerous "nonsensical, harassing, racist and threatening" emails to Michigan, including one in which he threatened to "assassinate the president or your governor," officials said.

Tolonen sent the emails to Whitmer’s constituent portal "for years," officials said.

After the assassination threat, police searched Tolonen house Last November when he admitted to sending the messages, officials said.

Although he "refrained for several months," officials said he started sending similar emails earlier this year in February, officials said.

"Elected officials deserve to serve Michiganders free of fear, and violent threats directed at public servants cannot be normalized," Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel said. "I commend Michigan State Police for taking these threats seriously, and my department remains committed to prosecuting these disturbing offenses."

To report dangerous threats made against public officials, please contact your local police department first and then the Department of Attorney General via email or at 313-456-0040.