The Justice Department announced Tuesday that it has charged two people with threatening federal judges this month, including a Florida woman who said she would kill the judge overseeing the case on the abortion pill.
Alice Marie Pence of Port Charlotte, Florida, is set to appear before U.S. Magistrate Judge Renee Harris Toliver in Dallas next week on charges of making a phone call and threatening to kill Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk, according to The Associated Press.
She also is charged with trying to impede or intimidate the judge. If convicted, she could face 15 years in prison.
Ms. Pence is accused of calling the chambers of Judge Kacsmaryk, a Trump appointee who ruled the abortion pill — specifically mifepristone — should not have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration.
The legal battle over the pill is pending before the Supreme Court, but the drug still remains available as the case works its way through the legal system.
The Justice Department charged Daniel Ray Garcia with mailing a threat to injure or kill a federal judge in Lubbock, Texas. He is in a Texas state prison serving a life sentence for shooting a police officer during a traffic stop, according to EverythingLubbock.com.
Garcia could face 20 years in prison. His case is pending before U.S. Magistrate Judge Lee Ann Reno in Texas.
Court filings in both cases do not name the federal judge or judges at issue. Media reports identify Judge Kacsmaryk as Ms. Pence’s alleged target.
Lawyers for Garcia did not immediately respond to a request for comment. There is no lawyer listed in court records representing Ms. Pence.
• Alex Swoyer can be reached at aswoyer@washingtontimes.com.
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