Alaska Man Indicted Over Alleged Threats to Supreme Court Justices

An Alaska man faces federal charges for sending over 465 threats to six Supreme Court justices, raising concerns about the safety of public officials.

At a Glance

Panos Anastasiou, 76, was indicted on 22 counts for threatening Supreme Court justices.
He allegedly sent over 465 messages with violent, racist, and homophobic content.
He faces up to 10 years in prison for each count of threatening a federal judge if convicted.
Attorney General Garland emphasizes the importance of protecting public officials.
The incident highlights growing concerns about threats to the judiciary.

Alaska Man Indicted for Threats Against Supreme Court Justices

Panos Anastasiou, a 76-year-old man from Anchorage, Alaska, has been indicted on federal charges for sending threats to six Supreme Court justices and their family members. The indictment alleges that Anastasiou sent over 465 messages through a public court website, containing violent, racist, and homophobic rhetoric, along with disturbing threats.

The charges against Anastasiou include nine counts of making threats against a federal judge and 13 counts of making threats in interstate commerce. If convicted, he faces up to 10 years in prison for each count of threatening a federal judge and up to five years for each count of interstate threats.

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

Details of the Threats and Investigation

According to court documents, Anastasiou’s messages included a number of disturbing threats of violence. He also allegedly encouraged others to participate in violent acts against the justices, including sending veterans to attack their homes. The threats were reportedly made in retaliation for decisions Anastasiou disagreed with, although the indictment does not specify which justices were targeted.

FBI agents initially contacted Anastasiou in spring 2023, but the threats allegedly continued and escalated. Magistrate Kyle Reardon noted that Anastasiou increased the frequency and vitriol of his messages after the FBI visit. Despite the severity of the charges, Anastasiou has been released from detention with conditions, including no contact with the justices or their families.

Broader Concerns for Judicial Safety

This case highlights ongoing concerns about threats to the judiciary. In the last few years, threats against federal judges have more than doubled, per AP News. A notable incident occurred in 2022 when a man was arrested near Justice Brett Kavanaugh’s residence with weapons and zip ties.

The arrest comes amid a turbulent period for the Supreme Court, following controversial decisions and leaked documents. The incident underscores the need for increased security measures to protect justices and their families, as well as the importance of upholding the rule of law and respecting the judicial process, regardless of personal disagreements with court decisions.