An Alaska man has been arrested after sending a series of violent and threatening messages directed at six Supreme Court justices and their families.

Panos Anastasiou, a 76-year-old resident, allegedly sent over 464 messages between March and July 2023, including threats to high court justices involving torture, hanging, and firearms, as the Daily Mail reports.

The messages were made public after Anastasiou’s arrest, sparking concerns over the safety of judicial figures.

Anastasiou now faces 22 counts of making threats against a federal judge and through interstate commerce, which could lead to a sentence of over 100 years in prison if convicted.

Violent and Racist Rhetoric Fuels Threats

The FBI investigation revealed that Anastasiou’s threats were filled with violent, racist, and homophobic rhetoric, and targeted conservative justices in particular.

These messages, sent via the Supreme Court’s public website, indicated his discontent with several court rulings over the last few years. The arrest follows a sharp increase in threats against public officials, particularly those involved in polarizing decisions.

Anastasiou’s motives appear to stem from disagreements with the judicial opinions of the six conservative justices, according to the FBI. His digital footprint also supports this claim. Records from the Federal Election Commission show that he donated to ActBlue, a Democratic fundraising platform, as recently as July. Although his Facebook account has been inactive for years, a post from 2014 described the justices as "jack booted thugs," accusing them of supporting rulings that strengthened police tactics.

Political Ideology Surfaces in Investigation

In the same 2014 post, Anastasiou criticized the Supreme Court for contributing to what he referred to as a "police state." As a Vietnam veteran, he expressed deep frustration with the U.S. government’s policies, calling into question his service and criticizing rulings that, in his opinion, undermined the Fourth Amendment. Other posts from the same period targeted figures like CNN’s Carol Costello, accusing her of bias in coverage of law enforcement.

Attorney General Merrick Garland condemned Anastasiou’s actions, stating, "We allege that the defendant made repeated, heinous threats to murder and torture Supreme Court Justices and their families to retaliate against them for decisions he disagreed with." These accusations come amid heightened concern for the safety of government officials, particularly those in the judicial branch.

Leaked Memos Reveal Internal Court Tensions

The arrest of Anastasiou comes at a time of mounting controversy surrounding the Supreme Court, which has seen an influx of internal disputes. Leaked memos reveal that Chief Justice John Roberts has played a key role in several major decisions, particularly those involving former President Donald Trump.

One of these cases, from March 2023, focused on whether states could remove Trump from election ballots due to his involvement in the Jan. 6 unrest at the U.S. Capitol.

Roberts’ efforts to secure a unanimous decision in that case failed, leading to further divisions among the justices. Additionally, Roberts took control of a Jan. 6-related prosecution case from Justice Samuel Alito, who had faced controversy after his wife was photographed flying an upside-down flag, a symbol sometimes linked to the protest movement.

These actions suggest Roberts’ attempts to reassert his authority following the 2022 leak of the Dobbs decision, which overturned Roe v. Wade.

Roberts Pushes for Early Decision on Trump

Roberts’ leadership in Trump-related cases extended into the former president’s immunity case, where he reportedly pushed for an early decision. However, the Court’s inability to maintain unanimity again exposed fractures within its ranks. Some justices, like Sonia Sotomayor, expressed strong dissent, accusing the decision of shielding Trump from accountability.

Sotomayor wrote in her dissent that the ruling effectively gave Trump "all the immunity he asked for and more," warning that the decision could have long-term consequences for the separation of powers. She went as far as to argue that the decision protected "treasonous acts" and set a dangerous precedent by turning the president into "a king above the law."

Divided Court Faces Public Scrutiny

Despite the ongoing controversies, Roberts received praise from some justices for his handling of these high-profile cases. Justice Brett Kavanaugh referred to one of Roberts’ opinions as "extraordinary" and commended his "exceptional work" in navigating the legal complexities surrounding Trump’s prosecution. However, public opinion remains divided, particularly among legal experts.

Law professor Jake Charles commented on Roberts’ political miscalculations, noting, "I had thought the Chief was politically savvy, but it's wild he thought the immunity decision would be well-received. Seems he's also in an echo chamber." This statement reflects broader concerns about the Court’s ability to maintain its credibility in the face of increasing political polarization.

Ongoing Security Concerns for Supreme Court Justices

The case of Panos Anastasiou highlights the growing threats faced by Supreme Court justices. With the judiciary increasingly at the center of politically charged decisions, justices are becoming frequent targets of public anger. This trend mirrors wider societal tensions, where political disagreements have escalated into violent rhetoric and actions.

As the Court continues to rule on significant cases, its internal divisions and public perception will remain focal points of debate. For Anastasiou, his fate now rests in the hands of the federal courts, as he awaits trial for the numerous charges brought against him.