Alaska Man Charged with Multiple Death Threats Against Supreme Court Justices

A 76-year-old man from Alaska, Panos Anastasiou, has been charged with sending disturbing and graphic death threats directed at multiple Supreme Court justices and their family members. The allegations highlight an alarming trend of increasing threats against public officials in the United States.

Details of the Case

According to court documents, Anastasiou sent over 465 menacing messages through a public court website. These communications, which took place between March and mid-July 2023, contained violent threats of murder and torture, laced with racist and homophobic language.

Charges Filed

Anastasiou now faces 22 federal charges—specifically, nine counts for threatening a federal judge and 13 counts for making interstate threats. These charges carry severe penalties; if convicted, he could face up to 10 years in prison for each count of threatening a federal judge, and up to five years for each count of making threats that cross state lines.

Arrest and Potential Sentencing

He was arrested in Anchorage, Alaska. The severity of the charges reflects a growing concern about the safety of judicial officials as threats and violent rhetoric gain traction in today’s political climate.

Motivation Behind the Threats

The nature of Anastasiou’s threats indicates a retaliatory motive, stemming from Supreme Court decisions he vehemently disagreed with. His case underscores a dangerous pattern of individuals resorting to intimidation and threats in response to judicial actions.

Broader Context of Increasing Threats

This incident is not an isolated event but forms part of a broader trend. The U.S. Marshals Service has reported that threats against federal judges have more than doubled in recent years, a troubling increase that reflects rising tensions and dangerous discourse in America’s political landscape.

The case against Anastasiou exemplifies the urgent need for dialogue around the protection of public officials and the rule of law, as threats and violent communications pose a substantial risk to democratic institutions.