WASHINGTON — An Alaska man accused of sending graphic threats to injure and kill six Supreme Court justices and some of their family members has been indicted on federal charges, authorities said Thursday.
Panos Anastasiou, 76, is accused of sending more than 465 messages through a public court website, including graphic threats of assassination and torture coupled with racist and homophobic rhetoric.
The indictment does not specify which justices Anastasiou targeted, but Attorney General Merrick Garland said he made the graphic threats as retaliation for decisions he disagreed with.
“Our democracy depends on the ability of public officials to do their jobs without fearing for their lives or the safety of their families,” he said.
Prosecutors said in an indictment filed Wednesday that the messages were sent between March 2023 and mid-July 2024. Anastasiou has been charged with 22 counts, including nine counts of making threats against a federal judge and 13 counts of making threats in interstate commerce.
Anastasiou was arrested Wednesday in Anchorage. Defense attorney Jane Imholte, declined to comment and publicly listed phone numbers for Anastasiou were disconnected.
He faces a maximum of 10 years in prison for each count of making threats against a federal judge and up to five years for each count of making threats in interstate commerce if convicted.
Threats targeting federal judges overall have more than doubled in recent years amid a surge of similar violent messages directed at public officials around the country, the U.S. Marshals Service previously said.
In 2022, shortly after the leak of a draft opinion overturning Roe v. Wade, a man was stopped near the home of Justice Brett Kavanaugh with weapons and zip ties.
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Associated Press writer Mark Thiessen in Anchorage, Alaska, contributed to this report.
A man in California has recently been charged with sending threatening messages to Supreme Court justices, sparking concerns about the safety and security of the highest court in the land. The man, whose name has not been released to the public, allegedly sent a series of threatening messages to multiple justices, including Chief Justice John Roberts.
According to court documents, the man’s messages included violent threats and derogatory language aimed at the justices. The messages were reportedly sent via email and social media, prompting an investigation by federal authorities. The man was arrested and charged with making threats against government officials, a serious offense that carries significant penalties.
The incident has raised alarm bells among legal experts and court officials, who are concerned about the potential impact of such threats on the independence and integrity of the judiciary. Supreme Court justices are tasked with upholding the rule of law and making decisions that affect the lives of millions of Americans, and any threats against them are taken very seriously.
In response to the incident, the Supreme Court has increased security measures and taken steps to ensure the safety of its justices. The court’s spokesperson issued a statement condemning the threats and reaffirming the court’s commitment to upholding the rule of law.
This case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers faced by public officials, including judges and justices, in today’s increasingly polarized and politically charged climate. Threats against government officials have become all too common in recent years, fueled by divisive rhetoric and heightened tensions.
It is crucial for law enforcement agencies to take threats against public officials seriously and hold those responsible accountable for their actions. The safety and security of our judicial system depend on the ability of judges and justices to perform their duties without fear of intimidation or violence.
As this case unfolds, it is important for all Americans to remember the importance of respecting the rule of law and upholding the principles of democracy. Threats against government officials have no place in a civilized society, and those who engage in such behavior must be held accountable for their actions.
