Aaron M. Richardson, Attempted Murder of Federal Judge, Florida 2024

Aaron M. Richardson, a 24-year-old Jacksonville man, has been charged with a string of federal offenses, including the attempted murder of United States District Judge Timothy J. Corrigan. According to the indictment, Richardson made false statements to the FBI and his supervising probation officer, and failed to attend court hearings on June 3 and June 11, 2013.

The indictment alleges that Richardson stole a Savage Arms .30-06 rifle and ammunition from a Sports Authority store in Jacksonville, and then discharged the rifle during his attempt to murder Judge Corrigan on June 23, 2013. The attempted murder charge is just one of 25 federal offenses against Richardson, who also faces charges for possession and discharge of a stolen firearm, and possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon.

Richardson’s history with the law dates back to 2008, when he was convicted and sentenced for attempting to make an incendiary device. Following his incarceration, Richardson was serving a term of supervised release, during which he made false statements to his probation officer about new arrests and new court appearances in Clay, Duval, and Volusia Counties.

On January 30, 2013, Richardson appeared in federal court on a petition alleging his violation of supervised release for committing new crimes. He was released with conditions that day, but continued to make false statements to his probation officer and failed to appear for court hearings. It was during this period that Richardson stole the rifle and ammunition, and attempted to murder Judge Corrigan.

An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed a violation of the federal criminal laws, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty. If convicted on all counts, Richardson faces a maximum penalty of life in federal prison.

The case was investigated by the FBI and multiple other federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, including the United States Marshals Service, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the United States Probation Office, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, the Clay County Sheriff’s Office, the Baker County Sheriff’s Office, the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office, the Daytona Beach Police Department, and the Bethune Cookman University Public Safety Office. The case will be prosecuted by Deputy Chief Assistant United States Attorney Mac D. Heavener, III and Assistant United States Attorney Mark B. Devereaux.

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