State Prisoner Pleads Guilty To Threatening To Kill Federal Judge

Jacksonville, Florida –United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Curtis Brown (35, Raiford) has pleaded guilty to threatening to murder a federal judge in retaliation for performing his official duties and mailing a letter to a federal judge threatening to kill the judge and his family. Brown faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison on each count. A sentencing date has not yet been set.

According to court documents, Brown was in the Florida State Prison in Raiford serving a state sentence when he sent a letter dated November 30, 2021, to a federal judge’s chambers. The letter was handwritten, addressed to the judge from Brown, and indicated it was sent in retaliation. The letter stated that the judge’s “recent refusal to grant warranted relief” gave Brown no other choice but to use his federal stimulus money to pay for someone to kill the judge. Brown stated that if he could not get to the judge in time, he would settle for a member of the judge’s family.  The letter was signed by Brown and beneath his signature was a statement that the letter better stay between them, or it would get worse.

This case was investigated by the United States Marshals Service and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Kirwinn Mike and Ashley Washington.