Ex-Hillsborough Man Charged with Threats to Kill Judge

Former Hillsborough Man Charged with Threats to Kill Judge

TRENTON, N.J. – Abhinaba Barthakur, a 58-year-old dual citizen of the United States and India, was charged in a six-count indictment today for making violent threats to a United States District Court Judge in the District of New Jersey, two New Jersey Superior Court Judges, an elected official, and a Somerset County resident, U.S. Attorney Alina Habba announced.

Barthakur, formerly of Hillsborough Township, New Jersey, is charged with five counts of transmitting a threat in interstate or foreign commerce and one count of retaliating against a federal judge by threat.

“Let today’s indictment serve as both a warning and a wake-up call. My office will act quickly and decisively against anyone who threatens a public official,” said U.S. Attorney Habba. “The conduct alleged in the indictment is as heinous as it is troubling: threats to a federal judge, two state superior court judges, an elected official, and a private New Jersey resident. The conduct is not just reckless — it is a direct attack on our justice system. Targeting those who uphold the law is an attack on every community they serve. This egregious behavior is unacceptable. And, as the charges make clear, no matter where you are, we will find you and hold you responsible,”

According to the allegations in the indictment, Barthakur left the United States in December 2018 and has not returned. The indictment charges that on or about July 14, 2020, Barthakur called the office of a government official in the executive branch of the State of New Jersey, leaving a voicemail message threatening to assault the official, including removing their fingers.

The indictment also alleges that Barthakur made similar threats to a New Jersey Superior Court Judge in the Somerset Vicinage Civil Division, as well as a New Jersey Superior Court Judge in the Somerset Vicinage Family Division. Additionally, Barthakur allegedly called a resident of Somerset County, threatening to assault and murder them, including using a .22 caliber handgun. Finally, Barthakur is accused of calling the chambers of a United States District Court Judge, threatening to assault and murder them, including using a .22 caliber handgun.

“The charges each carry a maximum fine of $250,000. Each charge of transmitting a threat in interstate or foreign commerce carries a statutory maximum term of imprisonment of five years. The charge of retaliating against a federal judge by threat carries a statutory maximum term of imprisonment of ten years,” U.S. Attorney Habba stated.

U.S. Attorney Alina Habba credited special agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Newark Field Office, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Stefanie Roddy; deputy marshals of the U.S. Marshals Service, under the direction of Marshal Juan Mattos, Jr.; special agents of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Ricky J. Patel; detectives and Assistant Prosecutors of the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Prosecutor John McDonald; members of the Hillsborough Township Police Department, under the direction of Chief Mike McMahon; and members of the Branchburg Police Department, for their assistance in the investigation and prosecution of this case.