MACON, Ga. – Travis Leroy Ball, a 56-year-old resident of Barnesville, Georgia, pled guilty today in federal court to a charge of mailing threatening communications. U.S. District Judge C. Ashley Royal presided over the plea on January 19. Ball, who has a history of arson and sending death threats, now faces up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a potential fine of $250,000. The court will determine the sentencing, and Ball is ineligible for parole.
U.S. Attorney Peter D. Leary emphasized the severity of death threats against public officials, noting that such actions are met with significant prison time. He reaffirmed the commitment of his office and law enforcement partners to ensuring public safety and upholding the integrity of the democratic process.
Robert Gibbs, FBI Atlanta’s Supervisory Senior Resident Agent in Macon, highlighted the illegal nature of threats against public servants, pointing out Ball’s repeated criminal behavior and disregard for rehabilitation.
Court documents revealed that the FBI obtained a letter on March 10, 2023, addressed to U.S. District Court Judge Marc T. Treadwell, falsely claiming to be from a U.S. Secret Service agent. Ball, who authored the letter, demanded dismissal of his latest federal case charge and release from custody. Further investigations linked Ball to additional threatening letters sent to various government entities, using different aliases, including threats of violence and demands for personal information removal.
The FBI’s analysis of the letters, including handwriting, letterhead, and DNA evidence, confirmed Ball as the author. Material and stamps used in the letters were found in Ball’s cell.