LANSING, Mich. – A Detroit man was sentenced for making violent threats against multiple of Michigan’s leaders.

RELATED LINK: Man accused of threatening call against Gov. Whitmer & other officials pleads no contest to charge

60-year-old James Toepler was sentenced to 15 months of probation under a specialized mental health treatment court for threatening to kill several elected officials.

As terms of his probation, he is not to have any contact with the Governor, the Secretary of State or their offices.

He is also not to have any malicious contact with any 9-1-1 emergency response service or Secretary of State branch offices.

The specialized mental health treatment court will supervise Toepler’s probation and oversee the completion of his treatment.

The threats were made in a phone call to the Detroit Police Department 9-1-1 Call Center in June of 2021, according to the Attorney General’s Office.

According to the AG, Toepler threated to kill Governor Whitmer, Secretary Benson, and others.

Toepler pled no contest to one count of Malicious Use of Telecommunications Services in the 36th District Court in Detroit.

“The Hate Crimes and Domestic Terrorism Unit in my office will diligently prosecute those who attempt to terrorize and intimidate elected officials,” said Nessel. “I appreciate the mental health treatment court’s role in assessing and treating convicted residents who commit crimes from a place of mental unwellness. Specialized courts across the state do an excellent job of providing evidence-based intervention strategies and aim to put offenders on a stable footing to find success post-sentencing.”