HARTFORD, CT – Peter J. Santos, 41, of Manchester, is facing a lengthy federal prison sentence after a jury found him guilty of threatening a U.S. Probation Officer. The verdict, delivered this afternoon in Hartford’s federal court, caps a trial that began May 30 before U.S. District Judge Alvin W. Thompson. Santos’ outburst came after a harsh ruling on a prior offense, and now he’s looking at up to six years behind bars.
The trouble began in 2014 when Santos was sentenced in the Southern District of New York to 25 months for a trio of offenses: conspiring to transport stolen goods, conspiring to receive stolen goods, and conspiring to commit wire fraud. Upon release in December 2015, he began a three-year supervised release, transferred to the District of Connecticut. But Santos couldn’t stay straight. Multiple positive drug tests quickly landed him back in hot water.
On August 31, 2016, Santos appeared before U.S. District Judge Janet Bond Arterton in New Haven for a supervised release violation hearing. Judge Arterton didn’t mess around, revoking his supervised release and slapping him with a six-month prison sentence, followed by another 24 months of supervision. It was after this ruling, as U.S. Marshals escorted him from the courtroom, that Santos unleashed his chilling threat. He reportedly stared directly at his supervising Probation Officer and stated, “When I get out, I’m coming for you.”
When the Probation Officer asked him to repeat himself, Santos doubled down: “You heard me.” A Deputy U.S. Marshal intervened, telling Santos his words were unwise. But Santos remained defiant, declaring he didn’t care and was “tired of it,” adding the disturbing line, “Everyone has to meet their maker whether it is by me or some other way.” The investigation later revealed that Santos continued to make threats even while incarcerated for the supervised release violation.
U.S. Attorney Deirdre M. Daly, announcing the guilty verdict, emphasized the seriousness of the charge. Threatening a federal official is not just a reckless outburst; it’s a direct attack on the justice system. Santos will be sentenced on August 29, 2017, by Judge Thompson, and faces a maximum term of imprisonment of six years. This case serves as a stark warning: interfering with law enforcement and those who assist them carries severe consequences.
The U.S. Marshals Service led the investigation, with Assistant U.S. Attorney John H. Durham prosecuting the case. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and report on the sentencing. It’s yet another reminder that even after serving time, some criminals remain a clear and present danger to those who are trying to keep the public safe.
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Key Facts
- State: Connecticut
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Violent Crime|Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Source ↗
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