Newark Man Accused Of Threatening To Kill Federal Judge

NEWARK, NJ — A Newark man has been accused of threatening to kill a federal judge, prosecutors said.

Jonathan D. Williams, 46, of Newark, was charged with making a threat to assault and murder a United States judge. He was arrested Wednesday, the U.S. Attorney’s Office stated.

According to prosecutors, the allegations include:

“On Nov. 1, 2021, Williams called a U.S. District Court judge in the District of New Jersey at least two times at the judge’s chambers phone number. The first call was answered by the courtroom deputy for the judge in the judge’s chambers. Williams spoke to the courtroom deputy concerning a civil suit that Williams filed and that is presently before the judge. Williams stated that he needed to get the case in front of a jury immediately in order ‘to get my settlement.’ Williams called the judge’s chambers a second time and spoke to one of the judge’s law clerks. While discussing issues related to his case, he stated: ‘Before the snow starts falling on my head, I’m gonna put a bullet in the judge’s brain … he’s a scumbag.’”

Prosecutors said that Williams contacted the judge’s chambers phone number again later that day. But this time, members of the U.S. Marshals Service were present when the call was made, and overheard Williams’s conversation with an employee who works in the judge’s chambers.

According to prosecutors, Williams made sexually-explicit, profane and racially-disparaging remarks to the employee. He then allegedly said: “You’ll see … You’ll lose your job when I kill your boss.”

Williams then repeated the threat a second time before the call ended, authorities said.

Another threat was made the next day, prosecutors said:

“On Nov. 2, 2021, Williams arrived at the entrance of a law firm office in Newark. When he entered the lobby, two security guards who were present denied Williams entry into the law office. Williams pulled down a protective mask he was wearing over his mouth and nose and identified himself by name as ‘Jonathan Williams.’ Williams told the security guards that he was ‘going to blow the judge’s brains out.’ Williams then repeated the threat before leaving the law office lobby.”

Prosecutors said the charge of making threats to assault and murder a federal judge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000.

Williams is scheduled to have his initial appearance in court on Nov. 4.

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