Curtis Brown, Threatening Federal Judge, Florida 2023

Grimy Times Exclusive: Curtis Brown, a 35-year-old inmate from Indian River, has been sentenced to one year and three months in federal prison for threatening to kill a federal judge and his family, and mailing a threatening communication.

In a disturbing case, Brown sent a letter to a United States district judge from his prison cell in Raiford, Florida, threatening to kill the judge or his family. The letter, which was stamped with the phrase "Mailed From A State Correctional Institution," was addressed to the judge’s chambers and stated that it was sent in retaliation for the judge’s refusal to grant Brown’s requested relief.

The letter, which was sent in November 2021, stated that Brown would use his "federally funded stimulus" to hire someone to shoot the judge. Brown also threatened the judge that if he couldn’t get to the judge in time, he would settle for his "child, loved one, etc." In a postscript in the letter, Brown further threatened the judge that if the judge told anyone about the letter, it would get worse for the judge.

Brown’s threats were investigated by the United States Marshals Service and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, who discovered that Brown had been engaged in civil litigation in the Northern District of Florida. In July and August 2021, Brown filed an emergency motion for a preliminary injunction and an emergency civil rights complaint about his confinement that were referred to a magistrate judge.

Following the referral, several proceedings occurred in which the magistrate judge sought to verify that Brown was the same individual that had previously filed a complaint or lawsuit about his confinement. However, Brown maintained that he had not filed a previous federal complaint or lawsuit. The magistrate judge concluded that Brown was being dishonest with the court and issued a report and recommended the dismissal of Brown’s case with prejudice considering "Brown’s pattern of perjury and willful abuse of the judicial process."

On December 27, 2022, Brown pleaded guilty to the charges, and on March 1, 2023, he was sentenced to one year and three months in federal prison, to follow the completion of his 30-year state sentence. This case was investigated by the United States Marshals Service and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Kirwinn Mike and Ashley Washington.

Mandatory Facts: Defendant Curtis Brown, Exact Criminal Charges Threatening a Federal Judge, City Jacksonville, State Florida, Exact Date March 1, 2023, Sentence One year and three months in federal prison to follow the completion of his 30-year state sentence.

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