A 77-year-old Alaska man accused of threatening to torture and assassinate six Supreme Court justices has reached a plea agreement with federal prosecutors, according to a court filing submitted Tuesday. Panos Anastasiou, who initially pleaded not guilty after his 2024 indictment, notified the court of his intent to change his plea "pursuant to a written plea agreement."
Violent Threats Following Landmark Ruling
Federal authorities allege Anastasiou submitted hundreds of threatening messages through the Supreme Court's online contact system. Prosecutors say a significant escalation occurred shortly after the high court issued its landmark ruling on presidential immunity for former President Donald Trump. Within two hours of that decision, Anastasiou allegedly threatened to torture and execute six unnamed justices by "assassination."
Court documents detail subsequent threats that included drowning, shooting, strangling, and lynching justices. Some communications allegedly extended these violent threats to family members of the justices. One specific threat referenced providing rope to hang a justice from an oak tree.
Broader Context of Judicial Threats
This prosecution unfolds against a backdrop of significantly increased threats against federal judges and Supreme Court justices in recent years. According to U.S. Marshals Service data, there were 256 documented threats against judges in just the first half of the current fiscal year, making security a paramount concern for the judiciary. This environment has prompted increased scrutiny of protective measures for judicial officials.
Anastasiou faces 26 federal charges spanning multiple statutes, including threatening a federal judge, making interstate threats, stalking, and possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. Law enforcement reported finding a Beretta 92 pistol in his possession at the time of his arrest.
Details of Agreement Remain Undisclosed
The recent court filing does not specify which charges Anastasiou intends to plead guilty to, nor does it reveal the terms negotiated between defense and prosecution. Both the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Alaska and Anastasiou's public defender declined to provide copies of the agreement or comment on its specifics when contacted.
Any plea deal requires approval from the presiding judge. U.S. District Judge Aaron Peterson, appointed by former President Trump, oversees the case, though Anastasiou has consented to having his plea taken by a magistrate judge. The case reflects ongoing tensions surrounding the judiciary, similar to those seen when political figures publicly criticize court decisions.
Pattern of Threats Against the Judiciary
This prosecution represents part of a broader pattern of criminal cases involving threats against Supreme Court justices. Last year, another defendant pleaded guilty to attempting to assassinate Justice Brett Kavanaugh at his Maryland home in 2022. That case resulted in an eight-year sentence that sparked controversy, with the Justice Department arguing for substantially greater punishment and preparing appellate arguments.
The Anastasiou case highlights the challenging balance between protecting judicial independence and addressing security concerns. As the judiciary continues to rule on divisive social and political issues, the threat environment remains elevated. The resolution of this plea agreement may establish precedents for how federal prosecutors handle similar threats against high-ranking government officials.
