An Alaska man faces federal charges for allegedly sending hundreds of threatening messages to U.S. Supreme Court Justices, including threats of kidnapping and assassination.
At a Glance
- Panos Anastasiou, 76, charged with threatening six Supreme Court Justices and two family members
- Over 465 threatening messages sent through public court website
- Charges include 9 counts of threatening federal judges and 13 counts of interstate threats
- Messages contained violent, racist, and homophobic content
- If convicted on all counts, Anastasiou could face up to 155 years in prison
Alaskan Man Charged in Supreme Court Threat Case
Federal authorities have arrested Panos Anastasiou, a 76-year-old Alaska resident, for allegedly sending hundreds of threatening messages to six U.S. Supreme Court Justices and two of their family members. The indictment, which has sent shockwaves through the legal community, underscores the growing concerns about the safety of public officials in an increasingly polarized political climate.
According to court documents, Anastasiou dispatched over 465 menacing messages through a public court website. These communications reportedly contained violent, racist, and homophobic rhetoric, with explicit threats of assassination via torture, hanging, and firearms. The suspect also allegedly encouraged others to participate in acts of violence against the justices.
Charges and Potential Consequences
Anastasiou faces a total of 22 counts, including nine counts of making threats against a federal judge and 13 counts of making threats in interstate commerce. The severity of these charges reflects the gravity of the alleged offenses, with each count of threatening a federal judge carrying a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, while the interstate threat charges could result in up to five years of incarceration per count.
“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
If convicted on all counts, Anastasiou could be facing a staggering 155 years behind bars. This case serves as a stark reminder of the serious consequences that can result from making threats against public officials, particularly those serving in the highest echelons of the U.S. judiciary.
Background and Ongoing Concerns
Anastasiou, originally from Greece, has lived in Anchorage for 67 years and is a Vietnam veteran currently undergoing treatment for throat cancer. Despite his age and health concerns, federal prosecutors in Anchorage are requesting that he be detained pending trial due to the graphic nature of the threats and the potential risk he poses to public officials.
“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
This incident occurs against a backdrop of escalating threats against federal judges, which have more than doubled in recent years. The arrest comes in the wake of heightened security measures for justices following the leak of a draft opinion overturning Roe v. Wade in 2022. In June of that year, a man from California was arrested outside Justice Brett M. Kavanaugh’s Maryland home with a gun and knife, further highlighting the very real dangers faced by members of the judiciary.
Implications for Judicial Security
The case against Anastasiou raises serious questions about the adequacy of current security measures for Supreme Court Justices and other federal judges. It underscores the need for robust protective measures to ensure that judges can carry out their constitutional duties without fear of retribution or violence.
As the legal proceedings against Anastasiou move forward, this case will likely prompt a renewed focus on the importance of safeguarding the independence and security of the judiciary. It serves as a sobering reminder of the challenges faced by those tasked with upholding the rule of law in an increasingly volatile political landscape.
