By SUZANNE DOWNING
April 13, 2026 – An Anchorage man has agreed to plead guilty after federal prosecutors say he sent hundreds of threatening messages targeting members of the US Supreme Court, including explicit calls for violence against sitting justices.
Panos Anastasiou, a 77-year-old leftist who is a nonpartisan registered voter, is scheduled to appear in federal court in Anchorage on Thursday for a change-of-plea hearing, resolving a case that has been pending since 2024. Under the plea agreement, Anastasiou will plead guilty to one count of threatening a federal judge and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm.
According to court documents, Anastasiou sent more than 500 messages through the Supreme Court’s online portal between March 2023 and September 2024, expressing anger over the court’s rulings. Prosecutors say the tone of those messages escalated significantly in early 2024, ultimately including threats to assault and murder six justices.
One message cited in the plea agreement, sent on July 5, 2024, called for the assassination of multiple justices, including Clarence Thomas, John Roberts, and Samuel Alito.
Prosecutors say the threats were intended to intimidate or retaliate against the justices for their official decisions.
The timing of the message came just days after the court’s 6-3 majority issued a major ruling involving former President Donald Trump, granting broad criminal immunity for various actions taken while in office.
In addition to the threats, Anastasiou admitted to possessing a Beretta 9mm handgun despite a prior felony conviction dating back to 1991. The firearm is subject to forfeiture under the plea agreement.
Despite the seriousness of the charges, which carry potential penalties of up to 10 years for threats against a federal judge and up to 15 years for unlawful firearm possession, prosecutors are recommending a sentence of probation with home confinement. The recommendation is based in part on Anastasiou’s age, documented dementia, and significant health issues, including a history of cancer and upcoming surgery.
The plea agreement also includes a waiver of Anastasiou’s right to appeal or challenge the conviction, except under limited circumstances.
The case comes as threats against members of the judiciary continue to rise nationwide. The US Marshals Service reported hundreds of threats against federal judges in recent years, underscoring growing security concerns surrounding high-profile court decisions.
The case is United States v. Anastasiou, US District Court for the District of Alaska, No. 3:24-cr-00099.
https-::storage.courtlistener.com:recap:gov.uscourts.akd.74712:gov.uscourts.akd.74712.99.0
3 thoughts on “Anchorage man pleads guilty to threatening lives of US Supreme Court justices”
Adios, Mr. Anastasiou. Another down, many more to go. And the bonus is that there isn’t even a federal prison in Alaska, so he’s gone, gone, and gone, and at his age, the odds of him returning are pretty much nil.
You should read the article. Prosecutors are only recommending a sentence of probation with home confinement.
I’m not condoning wrong doing (because actions have consequences) but I have to tell the truth. IF the court officials and our leaders were (biblically) honest and upright they wouldn’t given cause to many people to develop a hated against our leaders for antagonizing a public that’s akready stressed plus too they are stupid for lack of good education during childhood.