Statistics reveal a stark increase in threats towards federal officials
According to recent statistics released by the U.S. Marshals Service, the year 2023 has seen a disturbing surge in threats targeting federal judges and prosecutors. The agency reported a triple-digit increase compared to the previous year, with 457 federal judges and 155 federal prosecutors being singled out for threats.
Recent Cases Highlight Alarming Trend
In a chilling instance last November, individuals faced charges for threatening a federal judge in the Northern District of Texas. One such incident involved Alice Marie Pence, accused of making death threats to a judge in Amarillo. Similarly, Daniel Ray Garcia, currently incarcerated, sent menacing letters to a judge in Lubbock. Both have pleaded not guilty to these charges.
Protective Measures and Legislative Action
The U.S. Marshals Service, in collaboration with federal agencies and local law enforcement, has been actively engaged in enforcement operations to address this alarming trend. Comparatively, in 2022, there were 300 threats against federal judges and 93 against federal prosecutors.
Underlining the severity of the situation, the U.S. Marshals have been tasked with providing protective authority over federal judges. In response to these threats, Congress passed the Daniel Anderl Judicial Security and Privacy Act in 2022. Named after U.S. District Judge Esther Salas’ late son, who tragically lost his life to gun violence, the Act aims to enhance security measures for judges and safeguard their personal information from violent individuals seeking retribution.
In a statement following the passing of the bill, Judge Salas emphasized the importance of protecting the safety and independence of judges, stating, “Judges and their families should not live in fear for doing the job they are sworn to do.”
