A 76-year-old Alaska man has been arrested for allegedly threatening to kill and harm six U.S. Supreme Court justices, including specific, graphic threats against individual members of the court.
Panos Anastasiou of Alaska pleaded not guilty to 22 charges and faces the possibility of a lengthy prison sentence if convicted. Newsweek reported that Anastasiou is a Democrat who donated regularly over a multi-year period.
The U.S. Department of Justice announced the arrest of Anastasiou, who had been sending numerous threatening messages to the Supreme Court over a period of more than a year.
According to the Justice Department, he sent over 465 messages between March 2023 and July 2024. Many of the messages contained violent rhetoric, including threats that referenced race, sexual orientation, and calls for physical violence.
Court documents reveal that among the numerous threats, Anastasiou allegedly made several explicit statements of intent to harm the justices.
In one instance, dated January 4, 2024, Anastasiou reportedly threatened to hang "Supreme Court Justice 1" from an oak tree. He also threatened that fellow veterans would target the homes of two unnamed justices by spraying them with bullets, aiming to kill them.
Anastasiou has been charged with nine counts of making threats against a federal judge, as well as 13 counts of making threats in interstate commerce. Each charge carries significant potential penalties, including up to 10 years in prison for each count related to the threats against judges. The interstate commerce threats could add an additional five years per count.
In addition to the threats, Anastasiou's political donations have come under scrutiny. Reports indicate that over the past eight years, Anastasiou has donated more than $700 to Democratic campaigns and causes.
His most recent donation, made through ActBlue, took place on July 25, 2023, just months before his arrest. Despite these donations, there is no evidence that Anastasiou is officially registered with any political party.
Anastasiou's past includes previous residency in multiple U.S. cities, including Seattle, Corpus Christi, and Anchorage. In 2013, he was charged with misdemeanor theft in Texas, though the charge was eventually dismissed.
Anastasiou’s case comes amid a broader rise in threats against public officials, particularly members of the judiciary.
The U.S. Supreme Court has been a target of violence in recent years, with notable incidents including a 2022 assassination attempt on Justice Brett Kavanaugh.
Additionally, former President Donald Trump was also the target of an assassination plot, adding to the growing list of threats faced by high-profile public figures in the country.
U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland addressed the arrest, emphasizing the seriousness of threats made against public officials.
Garland stated, "Our justice system depends on the ability of judges to make their decisions based on the law, and not on fear. Our democracy depends on the ability of public officials to do their jobs without fearing for their lives or the safety of their families."
His statement underscores the increasing concern over threats made against individuals in positions of authority, particularly those whose decisions impact the entire country. The arrest of Anastasiou highlights the Department of Justice's ongoing efforts to combat this growing issue.
Anastasiou has pleaded not guilty to all charges. The court process is expected to include further investigation into his threats and political motivations.
If found guilty, Anastasiou could face decades in prison, depending on the final sentencing related to the 22 charges filed against him.
Each count of making threats against a federal judge could result in a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, while the charges related to making threats in interstate commerce could carry up to five years for each count. In total, the sentences could potentially add up to over 100 years of prison time.
