Tina Peters, the former Mesa County Clerk, has been sentenced to nine years in prison, primarily to be served in the Colorado Department of Corrections. Following the sentencing, Peters’ legal team announced plans to appeal the decision.
The sentence was delivered by 21st Judicial District Judge Matthew Barrett, who criticized Peters heavily, labeling her as an attention-seeking former official who acts solely for her own benefit. “You are no hero,” Barrett remarked. “You’re a charlatan who used your prior position to peddle a snake oil that’s been proven to be junk time and time again.”
The courtroom during the sentencing was filled with Peters’ supporters, as well as local law enforcement and elected officials, while an overflow crowd watched the proceedings from nearby.
In August, a jury found Peters guilty on seven counts, including four felonies, for her involvement in granting unauthorized access to county voting equipment meant to be protected as she sought out evidence of alleged voter fraud. To date, her supporters have not provided evidence that the voting machines were manipulated in any noteworthy way.
During the hearing, the prosecution called for the maximum penalties for her actions, stating that Peters had shown a blatant disregard for the law. “Ms. Peters has made this community a joke,” said District Attorney Dan Rubinstein. He emphasized her lack of accountability and said she views her actions as a badge of honor.
In a plea for leniency, Peters requested probation instead of imprisonment, admitting to the jury’s decision but claiming that key evidence related to her defense was not allowed during the trial. She expressed remorse and shared emotional testimonies about her family, including her deceased husband and her son, a Navy Seal. Despite her appeals, Judge Barrett highlighted the need for a significant sentence as a deterrent to other officials who might misuse their positions.
Statements from both the defense and prosecution provided contrasting views of Peters’ impact on the community. Mesa County Commissioner Cody Davis argued that Peters’ actions resulted in an estimated financial burden of $1.4 million on taxpayers, including costs associated with multiple recounts that confirmed election accuracy. He noted that Peters’ behavior has turned Mesa County into a symbol of disgrace rather than highlighting the area’s natural beauty and accomplishments.
Others, including former Commissioner Scott McInnis, echoed the sentiment that Peters’ fraud claims had been unsubstantiated.
To support Peters, character witnesses from her life testified, arguing that she posed no threat to the community and asking the judge for probation instead of prison time. However, Barrett questioned the reasoning behind needing to investigate the election results further when audits had already confirmed their accuracy.
The case against Peters resulted from a three-year investigation sparked by the unauthorized posting of images from a secure update of Mesa County’s voting equipment. As conspiracies around alleged electoral irregularities grew, Peters became entangled in a scheme involving unauthorized access to voting systems, which ultimately led to her conviction.