Tina Peters, the former Mesa County Clerk and Recorder, was sentenced to nine years in prison due to her involvement in a breach of the county’s election system in 2021. The judge referred to her as a “charlatan,” emphasizing the severity of her actions, which have damaged trust in elections across the nation.
Peters will serve 60 days to six months in the Mesa County jail before transferring to the state Department of Corrections. Following her sentencing, she was handcuffed and taken into custody while briefly waving at supporters in the courtroom.
Judge Matthew Barrett described Peters as someone who profited from untruths and expressed concerns that she would repeat her actions if not incarcerated. He stated, “Your lies are well-documented and these convictions are serious,” underscoring the need for her immediate imprisonment due to the extensive harm caused.
At 68 years old, Peters was convicted of various charges including attempts to influence a public official and conspiracy. She was acquitted of three additional counts.
During the sentencing, Peters made a rambling statement repeating her beliefs that elections are being stolen and invoked personal tragedies to seek sympathy, including the deaths of her son and father. She likened her situation to those facing serious crimes, saying, “I’m not a criminal. I have lived my life with faith and honesty,” and asked for leniency while proposing to attend a faith-based program in California.
Supporters spoke on her behalf, asserting that Peters had learned her lesson and would distance herself from politics. Nevertheless, prosecutors emphasized her actions had not only jeopardized election integrity but also resulted in threats against election officials. The breach led to significant fallout in Mesa County, including a financial burden estimated at $1.4 million for legal fees and additional election measures.
Peters’ criminal activities garnered national attention, aligning her with prominent figures in the far-right election-denial movement. After the breach, she became a symbol for those challenging election integrity and was involved in various media outlets, including a documentary about her actions.
Her attorneys have indicated plans to appeal the sentence, but the judge stressed that Peters posed a danger and that her immediate incarceration was warranted.