An Alaska man was arrested Wednesday for threatening to kill and injure six Supreme Court justices and their families.
From March through July, Panos Anastasiou, 76, contacted the Supreme Court’s website more than 465 times.
According to the indictment, Mr. Anastasiou’s messages “contained violent, racist and homophobic rhetoric coupled with threats of assassination via torture, hanging and firearms, and encouraged others to participate in the acts of violence.”
“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,” said Attorney General Merrick Garland in the release. “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.”
Mr. Anastasiou faces more than 20 counts that each carries five to 10 years in prison if convicted. The charges range from making threats against a federal judge and other counts related to threats via interstate commerce.
The indictment says the defendant began his threats in January against one justice, whom he threatened to kidnap and murder by “providing the rope” to “hang … from an oak tree.”
In May, he threatened to murder another justice by “putting a bullet in his … head.”
The defendant threatened the other justices with using a firearm, according to the charging document.
He appeared before Magistrate Judge Kyle F. Reardon of the U.S. District Court for the District of Alaska on Wednesday for his arraignment.
Mr. Anastasiou pleaded not guilty.
He’s in custody.
• Alex Swoyer can be reached at aswoyer@washingtontimes.com.
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