The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Georgia announced the charges on Friday, revealing the disturbing nature of the threats made by the suspect.

The accused, identified as Mark Schultz, a 66-year-old resident of Chula Vista, made his first court appearance in California on Friday. Schultz had been indicted on April 24 and is set to be arraigned in Atlanta in June, according to the Department of Justice.

Court documents revealed that Schultz repeatedly posted threatening comments on YouTube livestream videos back in October, specifically targeting Willis. One of his comments reportedly stated that she "will be killed like a dog." The indictment further detailed additional threats Schultz made, including one predicting that "FANI WILLIS WILL BE DEAD IN 2024" and other alarming messages containing racial slurs.

The menacing threats against Willis are deeply concerning, particularly given her role in leading one of the major criminal cases involving former President Donald Trump. Willis has charged Trump with felony racketeering and conspiracy charges for his alleged involvement in attempting to overturn the 2020 presidential election results in Georgia. Since her office began investigating Trump, Willis has faced racist threats.

The FBI's Atlanta field office has emphasized the gravity of threats against government officials, stating that they fundamentally undermine the fabric of democracy. Special Agent in Charge Keri Farley expressed the importance of addressing such threats and ensuring the safety of elected officials.

In a statement released by Willis' office, she referenced GOP state Senator Bill Cowsert, who has been leading an investigation into her office. Willis highlighted the irony of Cowsert questioning the need for protection from death threats, particularly in light of another indictment related to threats against her life. She expressed gratitude towards US Attorney Ryan Buchanan, his team, and the FBI for recognizing the value of an African American elected official's life and for their diligent efforts in ensuring the safety of herself, her staff, and their families.

It is worth noting that Willis has been under scrutiny in recent months due to her romantic relationship with Nathan Wade, a special prosecutor hired by her office to assist with the Trump case. In January, attorneys representing Trump and his co-defendants accused Willis of financial impropriety stemming from her relationship with Wade, seeking her disqualification from the case. However, in March, Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee ruled that Willis could proceed with prosecuting the case but prohibited her and Wade from working together. Wade subsequently resigned from the case following McAfee's decision.