Las Vegas Jury Convicts Woman for Threats Against Two Federal Judges and Her Probation Officer; San Diego Trial Team Prosecuted the Case in the District of Nevada
A federal jury has convicted Latonia Smith, 34, of cyberstalking and threatening two district court judges and a probation officer. The six-day trial concluded with a jury finding that Smith targeted U.S. District Judge Richard Franklin Boulware, U.S. District Judge Jennifer A. Dorsey, and Shawn Mummey, her probation officer.
The charges stem from a series of emails sent by Smith in June 2022, during which she threatened a mass casualty event and targeted the personal lives of her victims. Smith was on supervised release at the time of the threats, which were made against Judge Boulware, who presided over her 2021 trial, and Judge Dorsey, who oversaw her supervised release.
“All of these victims felt threatened and emotionally distressed,” said U.S. Attorney Adam Gordon for the Southern District of California. “Threats directed at members of the judiciary are not only criminal acts, but direct attacks on the rule of law. Intimidation of judges and court personnel erodes public trust and threatens the fair administration of justice for all.”
The FBI took the threats seriously, with Acting Special Agent in Charge Rafik Mattar stating, “We will not tolerate threats of violence to any member of our community, particularly those dedicated to safeguarding our democratic process. The defendant’s actions were dangerous and unacceptable.”
Smith was previously convicted of making death threats against lawyers in a 2017 case related to her mother’s firing from a Las Vegas hotel. She was sentenced to 36 months in prison and released in 2022. Upon her release, she was sent to Washoe County jail to face allegations related to an armed home-invasion in Reno. She was granted bail in June 2022 and began searching for information on Judge Boulware and his family.
Smith’s threats escalated over the next several weeks, with emails sent to Judge Dorsey and her probation officer. The defendant made it clear that she had researched her victims, accurately identifying their personal residences and hobby activities. Judge Dorsey testified that Smith’s identification of her home inspired her to immediately sell her property and move.
The case was prosecuted by the Southern District of California, with the San Diego trial team leading the effort. The conviction is a significant victory for the FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office, who took the threats seriously and worked diligently to bring the defendant to justice.
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Key Facts
- State: California
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Cybercrime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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