⏱ 2 min read
James LeBuhn, a 66-year-old suburban Chicago man, has been sentenced to six months in federal prison for sending threatening letters to two federal judges in Texas and Florida. LeBuhn mailed the letters to U.S. District Court judges in Amarillo, Texas, and Fort Pierce, Florida, last year, stating that citizens were unhappy with their handling of democracy and warning them to be careful because the level of anger was rising. The letters included photographs of ammunition rounds, making the threats even more ominous.
LeBuhn pleaded guilty to two counts of mailing a threatening communication and was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Sara L. Ellis. He was also fined $5,000 for his crimes. The investigation into LeBuhn’s actions was a collaborative effort between the U.S. Marshals Service, the U.S. Secret Service, the Federal Protective Service, and the U.S. Attorney’s Offices for the Northern District of Illinois, Northern District of Texas, and Southern District of Florida.
LeBuhn’s actions were not limited to threatening federal judges. He also mailed similar letters to employees of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management in Washington, D.C. The sentence handed down to LeBuhn reflects the seriousness of his crimes and the need to protect federal officials from threats and intimidation.
The case against LeBuhn was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard M. Rothblatt, with assistance from Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew Weybrecht and Brian Dobbins. The sentence was announced by Andrew S. Boutros, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois.
📋 Key Facts
- Crime: Violent Crime
- Defendant: Illinois
- Location: IL
- Source: DOJ Press Release
