Alaskan Man Indicted for Threatening Supreme Court Justices with Kidnapping and Assassination

September 23, 2024

An elderly Alaskan man faces serious federal charges for allegedly sending hundreds of violent threats to Supreme Court justices, highlighting growing concerns about judicial safety.

At a Glance

Panos Anastasiou, 76, of Anchorage, Alaska, has been indicted for threatening six Supreme Court justices and two family members
Over 465 threatening messages were sent through a public court website, containing violent, racist, and homophobic content
Anastasiou faces 22 counts, including threats against federal judges and interstate threats, with a potential 155-year sentence if convicted
The case underscores escalating threats to public officials and increased security needs for justices

Alarming Threats Against the Highest Court

Federal prosecutors have unveiled a disturbing case involving Panos Anastasiou, a 76-year-old Anchorage resident accused of launching a campaign of terror against the U.S. Supreme Court. Anastasiou allegedly sent over 465 threatening messages through a public court website, targeting six justices and two of their family members with graphic threats of violence, assassination, and torture.

The indictment charges Anastasiou with nine counts of making threats against a federal judge and 13 counts of making threats in interstate commerce. If convicted on all counts, he could face up to 155 years in prison. The severity of the charges reflects the graphic nature of the threats, which included racist and homophobic rhetoric, as well as detailed plans for violence against the justices.

Alaska Man Arrested for Threatening U.S. Supreme Court Justices, Their Family Membershttps://t.co/CZtFnYB21f pic.twitter.com/bTYV3NL0CP

— U.S. Department of Justice (@TheJusticeDept) September 19, 2024

A Threat to Judicial Independence

Attorney General Merrick Garland emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating the importance of protecting public officials from fear and intimidation. The case has raised concerns about the safety of Supreme Court justices and the potential impact on judicial independence.

“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” – Attorney General Merrick Garland

The threats allegedly increased in frequency and vitriol after an FBI visit to Anastasiou, suggesting a deliberate escalation of his actions. This behavior has led prosecutors to argue for his continued detention, citing the risk of ongoing threats and potential violence.

A Broader Pattern of Threats

This case is not an isolated incident. Threats against federal judges have more than doubled in recent years, with a notable incident in 2022 involving an armed man arrested near Justice Brett Kavanaugh’s home. The arrest of Anastasiou comes amid heightened concerns following the leak of a draft opinion overturning Roe v. Wade in 2022, which led to protests at justices’ homes and increased security measures.

“Our democracy depends on the ability of public officials to do their jobs without fearing for their lives or the safety of their families” – Attorney General Merrick Garland

While the names of the targeted justices have not been disclosed, court documents suggest that the threats were primarily directed at the conservative majority, including specific mentions of Justice Clarence Thomas and his wife, Ginni Thomas. The case has reignited discussions about the adequacy of security measures for Supreme Court justices and the need to protect the integrity of the judicial system.

An Alaska man has been indicted on charges he sent racist and violent threats against the six conservatives justices of the Supreme Court and their family members. https://t.co/BJbrVDJMm3

— NBC Politics (@NBCPolitics) September 19, 2024

Legal Proceedings and Implications

Anastasiou has pleaded not guilty to the charges and was initially released from detention with conditions, including no contact with the justices or their families. However, federal prosecutors in Anchorage are seeking to have him detained pending trial due to the severity and ongoing nature of the threats.

The case against Anastasiou appears strong, with evidence including his admission to sending the messages, IP information linking to his house, and an email address containing his name. As the legal proceedings unfold, this case serves as a stark reminder of the challenges facing our judicial system and the importance of safeguarding those who uphold our nation’s laws.