Felony Complaint, Threatening Communications — United States v. Philip S. Johnson (Document 11)

Summary

Felony complaint in United States v. Philip S. Johnson, Case 2:23-mj-00657-DAO, District of Utah, charging Count 1, threatening communications, on or about July 11, 2023. In the affidavit, Task Force Officer Justin W. Hansen of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) states that the Utah Film Commission received an email from Philip Johnson on July 11, 2023 whose last paragraph says an intent to kill the "little dude" on the 25th at about noon, and that the "little dude" has been identified as Governor Cox. The affidavit also describes threatening emails in August of 2018 and an attempt by Agents with the Utah State Bureau of Investigation to contact Johnson on July 13, 2023.

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“Felony Complaint, Threatening Communications — United States v. Philip S. Johnson (Document 11).” Archived at Pandemic Darlings, https://pandemicdarlings.com/source-documents/court-filing-united-states-v-johnson-dkt-11-da8a246a40/, SHA-256 c6435c0344815b1c6efee4c950bd5e1f5200f3e3bcb53c001900f18668e9f3f8.

Full text

Case 2:23-mj-00657-DAO Document 11 Filed 07/27/23 PageID.24 Page 1 of 5

TRINA A. HIGGINS, United States Attorney (#9313)
CARLOS A. ESQUEDA, Assistant United States Attorney (#5386)
Attorneys for the United States of America
111 South Main Street, Ste. 1800 • Salt Lake City, Utah 84111
Telephone: (801) 524-5682 • Facsimile: (801) 325-3387

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

DISTRICT OF UTAH

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, SEALED

Plaintiff, FELONY COMPLAINT

vs. MAGIS NO. 2:23mj657-DAO

PHILIP S. JOHNSON, VIO. COUNT 1, 18 U.S.C. § 875(c),
THREATENING
Defendant.
COMMUNICATIONS.

COUNT 1
(18 U.S.C. § 875(c))
Threatening Communications

On or about July 11, 2023, in the District of Utah,

PHILIP S. JOHNSON,

1
Case 2:23-mj-00657-DAO Document 11 Filed 07/27/23 PageID.25 Page 2 of 5

the defendant herein, did, knowingly and willfully transmit in interstate or foreign

commerce, a communication containing a threat to injure the person of another, all in

violation of 18 U.S.C. ' 875 (c).

AFFIDAVIT IN SUPPORT OF COMPLAINT AND ARREST WARRANT

This complaint is based on the following information:

I, Justin W. Hansen, being first duly sworn, depose and say:

1. Your affiant is a Task Force Officer with the Federal Bureau of Investigation

(FBI) currently assigned to the FBI Violent Crimes Task Force in the Salt Lake

City, Utah. The information contained in this complaint is based on an

investigation conducted by your affiant along with agents from the Utah

Department of Public Safety State Bureau of Investigation and other law

enforcement officers.

2. On July 11, 2023, the Utah Film Commission (film@utah.gov) received an email

from Philip Johnson using the email address anillegitimategov@gmail.com. The

subject line of the email read: “MOVE LIKE YOUR LIFE DEPENDS ON IT!”

3. In the last paragraph of the email, Johnson stated, “By the way I have sent a

demand for individual combat to the office of the Governor of Utah for past to

current offenses. I intend to kill the little dude on the 25th at about noon for having

perpetuated them. I’m sure you’ll find the detestable little man is as entirely

dispensable as the regrettable of forgettable string of them to date.” The “little

dude” referenced in the email has been identified as Governor Cox, State of Utah.

2
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In prior communications Johnson has expressed displeasure with the Governor and

the Governor’s Office. The communication was forwarded to the Utah State

Bureau of Investigation Threat Management Unit for investigation.

4. Philip Johnson has for at least the last 5 years demanded from the Utah Film

Commission a detailed list of all “film locations” in the State of Utah dating back

to 1966. In August of 2018 Johnson sent threatening emails, which were read by

the Utah State Capital Constituent Services, the emails were reported to the Utah

Highway Patrol Executive Protection supervisor Sgt. G. Hansen. Utah State

Bureau of Investigation Agents responded to Johnson’s home to conduct an

interview of Johnson. Johnson stated, “No warrant, no access” and closed the

door.

5. Johnson suffered from a period of homelessness and was assigned a case worker.

Contact was made with the case worker and she was asked to make contact with

Johnson. The case worker made contact with Johnson. According to Johnson’s

case worker, when asked about the threats, Johnson stated, “the police can go fuck

themselves.”

6. On July 13, 2023, Agents with the Utah State Bureau of Investigation attempted to

make contact with Johnson at #207, regarding the most recent

threatening email as described above. Johnson opened the door, the SBI Agent

introduced himself and asked Johnson if he would be able to answer a few

questions. Johnson stated, “screw off, ciao” and closed the door.

3
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Case 2:23-mj-00657-DAO Document 11 Filed 07/27/23 PageID.28 Page 5 of 5

APPROVED:
TRINA A. HIGGINS
United States Attorney
Digitally signed by CARLOS
CARLOS ESQUEDA ESQUEDA
__________________________
Date: 2023.07.17 15:38:41 -06'00'

CARLOS A. ESQUEDA
Assistant United States Attorney

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