A Manhattan man will spend five years in federal prison after sending a letter that threatened to kill two New York State judges.
Christopher McCarty, 33, was sentenced Tuesday to 60 months in prison and three years of supervised release for mailing the threat while incarcerated at Auburn Correctional Facility.
McCarty admitted that around May 31, 2023, he mailed a letter to Governor Kathy Hochul. In it, he wrote that once released, he would kill the two judges who had presided over the case that led to his imprisonment.
“When someone threatens a judge, they threaten our system of justice,” said U.S. Attorney John A. Sarcone III. “Those who threaten judges for doing their jobs are going to be prosecuted and held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.”
FBI Special Agent in Charge Craig L. Tremaroli added, “The FBI will not tolerate threats of violence to any member of our community, but especially those who work hard to safeguard our democratic process. No judge should have to fear their rulings might provoke such a violent response. Mr. McCarty’s actions were dangerous and unacceptable, and today’s sentence ensures he will remain behind bars.”
The FBI’s Albany Joint Terrorism Task Force and the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Rick Belliss prosecuted it.
FingerLakes1.com is the region’s leading all-digital news publication. The company was founded in 1998 and has been keeping residents informed for more than two decades. Have a lead? Send it to [email protected].