Alaskan Man Faces Federal Indictment Over Extreme Threats to Judges

Person in orange shirt behind jail bars.

A federal indictment has been brought against an Alaskan man accused of sending hundreds of threatening messages, including intentions of kidnapping and assassination, targeted at six Supreme Court justices.

At a Glance

  • A 76-year-old Alaskan man, Panos Anastasiou, arrested for allegedly threatening six US Supreme Court justices and two family members.
  • Anastasiou sent over 465 threatening messages, including racist and homophobic rhetoric.
  • US Attorney General Merrick Garland stressed the importance of judicial independence.
  • Anastasiou, facing 22 counts, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Arrests and Charges

Panos Anastasiou, a 76-year-old resident of Anchorage, Alaska, has been arrested following a federal indictment accusing him of threatening six US Supreme Court justices and two members of their families through hundreds of messages. The indictment highlights the severe risks aimed at the highest levels of the U.S. judiciary.

Anastasiou allegedly sent over 465 messages through a public court website. The messages contained extreme threats of assassination, torture, and general violence, along with racist and homophobic language. According to the criminal complaint, the threats extended to lynching and encouraging others to attack the justices’ homes.

Justices and Family Members Targeted

The indictment does not specify which six of the nine justices were targeted, nor does it detail the identities of the family members involved. However, there are references to a past threat against Justice Clarence Thomas and his wife, Ginni Thomas. Despite the anonymity, the threats seem directed toward the conservative majority within the court.

“We allege that the defendant made repeated, heinous threats to murder and torture Supreme Court Justices and their families to retaliate against them for decisions he disagreed with,” stated Attorney General Merrick Garland.

Anastasiou faces 22 counts, including nine counts of making threats against a federal judge and 13 counts of making threats in interstate commerce. Each count carries significant penalties—up to 10 years in prison for threats against a judge and up to five years for threats in interstate commerce.

Judicial Independence Under Threat

The violent threats against justices present critical concerns for the protection and independence of the judiciary. US Attorney General Merrick Garland emphasized the importance of judges making decisions without fear of violent retribution. He stated, “Our democracy depends on the ability of public officials to do their jobs without fearing for their lives or the safety of their families.”

Garland’s remarks underscore the increasing danger faced by public officials, particularly in light of rising threats against federal judges. In recent years, these threats have more than doubled, with a notable incident in 2022 when a man was arrested near Justice Brett Kavanaugh’s home.

One of the graphic messages included threats of hanging the justices from trees and shooting a particular justice. Furthermore, Anastasiou also threatened to send veterans to carry out attacks on the justices’ homes. These alarming details emphasize the severity and danger entailed in Anastasiou’s threats.

Upcoming Court Proceedings

Anastasiou, originally from Greece and a Vietnam veteran undergoing treatment for throat cancer, has been released from detention under the condition that he would not contact the justices or their families. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges. Despite this, prosecutors in Anchorage are advocating for his detention until trial, citing the graphic and frequent nature of the threats.

Prosecutors argue that Anastasiou “poses a risk of continuing to threaten federal officials” and said there “is also a danger he may wish to carry out some form of violence towards those he has previously threatened.”

The FBI’s investigation revealed evidence against Anastasiou, including admissions of sending the messages, IP data linking him to the messages, and an email address with his name. His detention hearing is scheduled in Anchorage, where further determinations about his custody will be made.

Sources:

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  2. Alaska man charged with sending graphic threats to kill Supreme Court justices
  3. Alaska man charged with threatening to kill six Supreme Court justices
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  7. Alaska man arrested for threatening messages to justices
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  9. Alaska man charged with making threats against 6 Supreme Court justices
  10. Alaska Man Arrested for Threatening U.S. Supreme Court Justices, Their Family Members
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