Florida Man Sentenced to Prison for Threatening U.S. Supreme Court Justice

In a recent development, a Florida man has been convicted and sentenced to 14 months in prison for issuing death threats against a U.S. Supreme Court justice. The Justice Department made the announcement on Tuesday, revealing that Neal Brij Sidhwaney, aged 43, had pleaded guilty in December. The charges stemmed from a July telephone call made by Sidhwaney from Florida to the Supreme Court, during which he left a threatening voicemail, filled with expletives, targeting an unnamed justice. It was later revealed that Sidhwaney identified Chief Justice John Roberts as the intended target during a psychological evaluation, details of which were included in court records that were subsequently sealed.

Alarming Trend

According to Politico, the incident comes in the wake of an alarming trend of increased threats against federal judges, including Supreme Court justices. Statistics compiled by the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) and obtained by CBS News indicated that in 2023, there were over 400 threats to federal judges across the country, marking an increase of nearly 300 compared to 2019. This rise in threats has raised concerns about the safety and security of the judiciary.

Prior Incidents

This is not the first time such incidents have come to light. In 2022, Nicholas John Roske was accused of attempting to assassinate Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh. The accusations arose after Roske was apprehended with weapons near Kavanaugh's residence shortly after a draft opinion in a case involving Roe v. Wade was leaked. Roske has entered a plea of not guilty in response to these charges.

Protective Measures

Following these alarming events, Congress passed a legislation to ensure 24-hour security for the families of Supreme Court justices. Additionally, the justices themselves were provided with around-the-clock protection by the U.S. Marshals in the aftermath of the leaked opinion. These measures were implemented to safeguard the judiciary from potential threats and ensure the smooth functioning of the legal system.

Concerns for 2024 Elections

Amidst these concerning developments, there is growing apprehension among judges, witnesses, and prosecutors about potential threats to democracy in the upcoming 2024 elections. This heightened vigilance is particularly notable as prosecutions related to the events of January 6 continue to unfold. The safety and security of the judiciary and its stakeholders remain a top priority as the legal system contends with these ongoing challenges.