NEW ORLEANS, LA – Shaun Chapman, 38, of New Orleans, has admitted to a disturbing act of domestic terrorism from behind bars. On November 9, 2023, Chapman pleaded guilty to mailing a threatening communication, a federal offense that could land him in prison for a decade.
Court records reveal Chapman penned a venomous letter filled with threats against the highest levels of U.S. government: the President and Vice-President of the United States, sitting Supreme Court justices, and employees of the Department of Justice. The letter, dispatched to the Robert Nixon Federal Courthouse in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, wasn’t some desperate plea for help. It was a calculated barrage of intimidation.
What makes this case particularly unsettling is where the letter originated. Chapman wasn’t a free man. He was already incarcerated at the Orleans Justice Center in New Orleans, facing separate, unspecified charges. This suggests a chilling disregard for the law and a brazen attempt to sow fear even while awaiting justice for other alleged crimes.
The U.S. Secret Service swiftly launched an investigation, tracing the letter back to Chapman within the Orleans Justice Center. Their work was crucial in securing the guilty plea, according to U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans. The agency’s agents meticulously connected Chapman to the hateful correspondence, leaving no doubt about the source of the threats.
Now, Chapman faces a harsh reckoning. He’s looking at a maximum sentence of ten (10) years in federal prison, alongside a hefty fine of up to $250,000. If convicted, he will also be subject to up to three (3) years of supervised release after his prison term and a mandatory $100 special assessment fee. This isn’t just about a letter; it’s about attempting to undermine the very foundations of American governance.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Gregory M. Kennedy of the Violent Crime Unit is leading the prosecution. This case serves as a stark reminder that threats against public officials, even those made from within prison walls, will not be tolerated. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case as sentencing approaches, bringing you the unvarnished truth from the federal justice system.
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Key Facts
- Agency: U.S. Secret Service
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Press Release
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