An Illinois man is accused of making violent threats against a Florida federal judge who handled President Donald Trump's classified documents case, according to an indictment unsealed Thursday.
Eric James Lennert, 65, faces five federal charges in the indictment, including communicating interstate threats and threatening to assault, kidnap and kill a federal judge.
Prosecutors allege the communications also included threats to injure or kidnap the judge's family.
Court documents do not name the judge who received the threat, but indicate the threat occurred in St. Lucie County, Florida.
U.S. District Judge Eileen Cannon Who presided over the criminal case charging Trump? He is based in the county along with another federal judge on charges of illegally retaining classified documents.
Representatives from the U.S. Attorney's Office in Miami and the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, which filed the indictment, did not respond to requests for comment.
The indictment says the threats were made three times in May and July and were intended to retaliate against the judge “for the performance of his official duties.”
Renato was arrested and will be transported to Florida for his next court appearance, according to court records. He has not yet entered a plea.
Cannon was appointed to the court by President Trump during his 2017-2021 White House tenure, and her approach to classified documents cases came under intense scrutiny. she all charges dropped The charges were filed in July based on findings that the lead prosecutor, Special Counsel Jack Smith, was illegally appointed to the role.
Prosecutors are appealing Cannon's ruling in hopes of reinstating the case. Even if the case were successful, the case would not be heard until after the November 5 presidential election between Republican Trump and Democrat Kamala Harris.
Cannon was also recently appointed to handle the case of a man accused of trying to assassinate President Trump last month at a Florida golf course.
A Texas woman was sentenced to more than three years in prison in February. admits to threatening Cannoncourt records show.
Federal judges face issues such as: Growing threat as part of an overall surge in violent rhetoric against U.S. public servants.
