Alaska man Panos Anastasiou, 76, has been indicted on charges of sending racist and violent threats to the six Supreme Court justices and their families. Federal prosecutors in Anchorage are seeking to keep him in jail pending trial due to the graphic threats, which escalated after FBI agents questioned him about the messages he sent through the Supreme Court’s website. He has pleaded not guilty to charges of threatening to assault, kidnap, and murder the justices and some of their family members. The Attorney General, Merrick Garland, emphasized the importance of public officials being able to do their jobs without fearing for their safety.
Anastasiou sent over 465 threats to the high court through its public website between March 2023 and July 2024. The threats intensified in January, including mentions of assassinating the judges and using racial slurs, including the N-word. Prosecutors are urging for Anastasiou to remain in custody, citing a risk of further threats towards federal officials and possible violence. They argue that the evidence of guilt in the case is overwhelming, pointing out that Anastasiou admitted to sending the messages and the IP address leads to his house. Anastasiou’s attorney declined to comment, and he is scheduled to appear in court later for a detention hearing.
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