New York Man Pleads Guilty to Sending Death Threats to Attorney General and Judge

In a recent development, Tyler Vogel, a 26-year-old man from Lancaster, New York, pleaded guilty to serious charges related to making threats against state officials. On Wednesday, Vogel admitted to one felony count of making a terroristic threat and one misdemeanor count of making a threat of mass harm. These charges were directed at the New York Attorney General Letitia James and Judge Arthur Engoron, who presided over former President Donald Trump’s civil fraud case.

Threatening Messages

According to a complaint filed in a court in Lancaster, Vogel sent text messages late last month threatening death and physical harm to Attorney General Letitia James and Judge Arthur Engoron. The messages demanded that they “cease action” in the Trump case. The complaint also revealed that Vogel used a paid online background website to obtain private information about James and Engoron. This action confirmed his intentions to follow through with the threats if his demands were not met.

Legal Ramifications

As a result of his guilty plea, Vogel will be participating in interim probation and must comply with the mandates of state mental health court. Upon the completion of court and probation requirements, Vogel will be permitted to withdraw his plea to the felony charge and be sentenced on the misdemeanor charge. Although he has been released from custody, a temporary protection order issued on behalf of the two victims remains in effect. Vogel is due back in court on April 23.

Trump's Ongoing Legal Battles

Meanwhile, former President Donald Trump is facing a civil trial in Manhattan this week. The trial pertains to 34 felony counts of falsifying business records as part of a scheme related to his 2016 campaign. Trump is also appealing Judge Arthur Engoron's finding that he lied about his wealth as he built his real estate empire. The civil trial has focused on the valuation of Trump’s assets on financial statements that were used to obtain loans and deals.