A Libertyville, Illinois man has been charged in federal court with mailing threatening letters to two federal judges in Texas and Florida, according to a March 12 announcement by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Illinois.
The case highlights ongoing concerns about threats directed at members of the federal judiciary. Authorities say such actions are taken seriously and will be prosecuted fully.
James Lebuhn, 65, faces two counts of mailing a threatening communication as outlined in a criminal information filed in U.S. District Court in Chicago. The arraignment is scheduled for March 26 before U.S. District Judge Sara L. Ellis. Prosecutors allege that Lebuhn sent the letters in March of last year with the intent that they would be perceived as true threats, and that he acted with reckless disregard for how others might interpret his communications.
The charges were announced by Andrew S. Boutros, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois. The investigation involved the U.S. Marshals Service, U.S. Secret Service, Federal Protective Service, and assistance from U.S. Attorneys’ Offices in Texas and Florida.
“The Chicago U.S. Attorney’s Office is committed to holding accountable anyone who seeks to intimidate and instill fear in members of the federal government, including the esteemed public servants on the bench,” said Andrew S. Boutros. “When a threat such as this occurs, our Office will find, arrest, and prosecute those responsible to the fullest extent of the law. We are grateful for the close collaboration with the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices in the Northern District of Texas and Southern District of Florida and the fine work they provided in support of this prosecution.” Ryan Raybould, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas said: “In today’s times of increasing threats of violence, these criminal charges should serve as a warning to others contemplating such behavior. I applaud the investigative efforts of our agents in this District and the prosecution team in the Northern District of Illinois for their outstanding work.”
Authorities remind that an information is not evidence of guilt; Lebuhn is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt at trial. Each count carries a maximum sentence of five years if convicted.
