Despite his apology, a Gilbert man may spend 28 months in prison.

James Giannakos, 47, flanked by a half-dozen relatives in court June 29, apologized profusely for leaving threatening voicemails for a former prosecutor.

He said he made them impulsively after staying up all night drinking.

He said he learned online that the former prosecutor had revealed Enrique Tarrio, the leader of the right wing Proud Boys, as a confidential informant.

Giannakos’ friends and relatives explained that “Jimmy” is a gentle soul who won’t harm anyone, even if he had threatened to.

They said Giannakos is the kind of man who brings meals to his elderly neighbors and takes care of household chores for sickly friends.

The former prosecutor now in private practice in Florida testified about Giannakos’ threats’ affect on her family.

She was described as “Victim One” in court to protect her identity.

The mother of 3 children, she said his threats left her anxious about her family’s safety. She installed a home security system, and her law offices upgraded their own.

Police and FBI agents watched her home for a month.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Elliott Daniels told Judge Terry Wooten that Giannakos’ threats were part of a pattern in which the unemployed Lexington County man demonstrated his commitment to far-right groups.

Giannakos participated in the Jan. 6 protest in Washington, DC, but did not enter the Capitol building, Daniels said.

Giannakos has not been charged in connection with the Capitol Hill protest.

He has offered to plead guilty to stealing Capitol Police equipment that day, his defense attorney said.