BOISE, ID – Brian Ray McClure, 55, already serving time in an Idaho prison, is facing even more bars after being sentenced to 33 months in federal prison for sending chilling threats to a judge in Washington state. The U.S. Attorney for Idaho, Bart M. Davis, announced the sentence yesterday, handed down by Chief U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill.
The threats weren’t tied to any case or legal dispute. According to court documents, on April 15, 2015, McClure mailed two identical letters to a King County, Washington judge, explicitly threatening to kill the judge and their family. The judge, understandably alarmed, immediately reported the letters to law enforcement, triggering a federal investigation.
McClure pleaded guilty on August 10, 2017, to mailing threatening communications, a violation of 18 U.S.C. § 876(c). The sentencing comes with a catch: the 33-month federal sentence will run concurrently *if* McClure is granted parole by the Idaho Commission on Pardons and Parole, or on March 1, 2019, whichever comes first. Meaning, he’s still serving time in Idaho, and this sentence kicks in when (or if) he gets out.
Investigators from the United States Postal Inspection Service, the U.S. Secret Service, and the Idaho Department of Corrections worked the case. It’s a grim reminder that even behind bars, individuals can pose a threat to public officials, and federal agencies are prepared to pursue these cases. The Secret Service’s involvement underscores the seriousness with which threats against judicial officials are taken.
The motive remains unclear. McClure had no apparent connection to the judge he threatened, raising questions about the source of his rage. This wasn’t a disgruntled litigant; it was a cold, calculated threat delivered through the mail. The judge’s identity has not been released, likely for their continued safety.
This case highlights the persistent danger faced by those in the justice system. While the 33-month sentence offers some measure of justice, it doesn’t erase the fear McClure instilled. He’s already a prisoner, but now he’ll be facing additional time for attempting to terrorize someone simply doing their job. The Department of Justice District of Idaho handled the prosecution.
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Key Facts
- Agency: U.S. Secret Service
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Press Release
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