Politics
Alaska Man Arrested for Sending Over 465 Threatening Messages to Supreme Court Justices
Clear Facts
- An Alaska man, Panos Anastasio, was arrested for threatening to murder six Supreme Court justices.
- Anastasio sent over 465 threatening messages through the Supreme Court’s website between March 2023 and July 2024.
- Attorney General Merrick B. Garland emphasized the importance of judges making decisions without fear for their lives.
In a shocking case that underscores the growing threats against public officials, an Alaska man named Panos Anastasio has been arrested for making violent threats against six Supreme Court justices. According to the Department of Justice (DOJ), Anastasio sent more than 465 messages through the Supreme Court’s website from March 2023 to July 2024.
The indictment reveals that these messages became increasingly threatening after January 4, containing “violent, racist, and homophobic rhetoric coupled with threats of assassination via torture, hanging, and firearms.”
Anastasio is currently detained and is scheduled to appear before Judge Kyle Reardon for a detention hearing.
The DOJ alleges that some of Anastasio’s threats were intended to intimidate the justices and “retaliate against them for official actions.”
Attorney General Merrick B. Garland commented on the severity of the threats, stating,
“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.”
He added,
“Our justice system depends on the ability of judges to make their decisions based on the law, and not on fear. Our democracy depends on the ability of public officials to do their jobs without fearing for their lives or the safety of their families.”
Court records indicate that Anastasio’s messages included calls for “mass assassinations” and “torture.” In one particularly chilling message, he stated he would have “no reservations” about walking up to a Supreme Court justice and putting a bullet in his head.
Another message read,
“I’d like to see [Former President 1 and Supreme Court Justice 1] hanging together from an Oak tree.”
The indictment also notes that Anastasio’s threats extended to the justices’ family members.
“The defendant has a history of threatening public officials, similar threats sent to the governor of another state,” the government wrote in the filing.
“It is notable that the defendant increased his violent rhetoric even after the FBI visited him at his home.”
This case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers faced by public officials and the critical need for their protection.
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