Tina Peters, the former clerk of Mesa County and a well-known figure in the Republican election denial movement, was found guilty on Monday of seven out of ten charges related to a 2021 breach of Colorado’s election system.
The jury took about four hours to deliberate, concluding a high-profile trial that has brought election security issues into the national conversation.
At 68, Peters, a strong supporter of Donald Trump, was convicted of offenses including attempting to influence a public official, conspiracy to commit criminal impersonation, official misconduct, and failing to comply with state orders.
She was acquitted on three counts, including conspiracy to commit criminal impersonation and identity theft.
The trial began on July 30 in Mesa County, a staunchly Republican area where Trump won nearly 63% of the vote in 2020. It lasted eight days and focused on allegations from May 2021 that Peters was involved in breaching election security systems.
Prosecutors argued that Peters allowed unauthorized access to the hard drive of a Dominion Voting Systems computer by someone using a borrowed security badge and even disabled surveillance cameras during the incident. This breach became public when confidential passwords were later leaked online.
The case gained traction in August 2021 when Peters attended a “cybersymposium” led by MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell, where copies of the Mesa County voting system’s hard drive were reportedly distributed.
Throughout the trial, Peters’ defense claimed her actions were part of her official duties as clerk. However, this argument did not sway the jury for the majority of the charges.
Experts have warned that releasing the hard drive could set a dangerous precedent, potentially creating a “practice environment” for those looking to exploit vulnerabilities in election systems.
Peters’ former colleagues, including ex-deputy Belinda Knisley and former elections manager Sandra Brown, testified against her after accepting plea deals, which likely influenced the jury’s decision.
Judge Matthew Barrett ruled that Peters could not present herself as a whistleblower or make the trial about election integrity, forcing the focus strictly on the charges.
The atmosphere in the courtroom was tense as the verdict was read, with heavy security present. Peters appeared calm while the decision was announced and is now facing sentencing, scheduled for October 3, where she could receive a maximum of 20 years in prison if given the harshest sentence.
Updates on this developing story will follow as more information becomes available.