Hamden Man Admits Mailing More Than 100 Threatening Letters: Feds

HAMDEN, CT — Garrett Santillo, 43, of Hamden, pleaded guilty Thursday in Bridgeport federal court to charges in connection with mailing numerous threatening letters to people in Connecticut and elsewhere, according to officials.

Between approximately December 2021 and June 2022, authorities said Santillo mailed more than 100 letters containing threatening and hateful statements, including threats of violence, to journalists, judges and other public officials and individuals in Connecticut and elsewhere, including a Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court and a U.S. Supreme Court Justice Nominee.

“Several letters mailed by Santillo contained this or similar language: ‘If you don’t obey what this letter says, you along with others including [name redacted] and people in Washington DC and everywhere and you. You all will be killed!!’ officials wrote in a news release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for Connecticut.

Santillo pleaded guilty to one count of mailing threatening communications to a United States Judge, an offense that carries a maximum term of 10 years in prison. A sentencing date hasn’t been scheduled.

He has been released on a $100,000 bond since his arrest on July 6, 2022, according to officials.

Santillo has been federally prosecuted, convicted, and sentenced for mailing threatening letters three prior times, and he completed his most recent term of federal supervision in August 2021, officials said.