Epping Woman Who Threatened Election Official May Plead Guilty

An Epping woman who allegedly threatened a Michigan election official, and the official’s daughter, could get a plea agreement in the federal threatening case.

Katelyn Jones, 23, was arrested by FBI agents at her mother’s home in December, after she allegedly made threats against Monica Palmer, chairwoman of the Wayne County Michigan Board of Canvassers.

Palmer voted against certifying the election results in the presidential election, reportedly promoting Jones to make the threats via text message and social media, according to court records.

Now Jones, and prosecutors in the United States District Court of Eastern Michigan, are seeking more time before the trial in the case as both sides negotiate a plea agreement, according to court records.

Jones’ violent threats included bloody photographs of nude women along with threats against Palmer’s daughter, according to court records.

Jones allegedly wrote to Palmer on Instagram, telling her it would "be a shame if something happened to your daughter at school."

“F***ing with our election is TERRORISM, and us Americans clearly don’t tolerate terrorists so yes you should be afraid, your daughter should be afraid, and so should (name of the victim’s husband,)” Jones allegedly wrote in one of the messages.

Palmer voted against certifying the election in heavily African American Wayne County, Michigan. Her actions were seen as part of President Donald Trump’s effort to change the election result that saw him lose the presidency.

Despite Palmer’s vote, Michigan eventually certified its election showing that Vice President Joe Biden won the state.

When confronted at her mother’s house, Jones allegedly told FBI agents that she had sent the messages. Jones acknowledged she made the threats and called Palmer a terrorist and a racist because she was upset with her vote over the election certification, according to court records.

Palmer is currently free pending trial.