Report: J6 Defendant Arrested After Threatening Trump Judge, Prosecutor

This week, authorities took a Jan. 6 defendant into custody over his repeated online threats against people involved in former President Trump’s legal battles, FBI agents who investigated the defendant’s case, and Supreme Court justices. 

Charles Austin, a federal magistrate judge in Maryland, on Monday ordered Bradley Nelson be detained

“While there is no history of prior release violations, these statements evidence an actionable threat to the community – at the least, law enforcement involved in the investigation,” Austin wrote in his order. 

According to The Hill, prosecutors said Nelson over the past year has posted images of U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland, New York Attorney General Letitia James (D) and a Georgia state judge with apparent crosshairs drawn on their heads.  

Court documents indicate the post about James, who brought a major civil fraud prosecution against Trump that led to a $464 million judgment, also included a threatening comment: “give every [expletive] thing I have to watch that [expletive]’s head explode, or at least the back of her head blowout.” 

And in June, prosecutors say Nelson made a threatening post about Barrett, Trump’s final appointee to the Supreme Court. 

The post was allegedly made roughly one hour after the Supreme Court narrowed the use of an obstruction charge levied against hundreds of Jan. 6 defendants, including Nelson. Barrett wrote the dissent, siding with prosecutors alongside two of the court’s liberals. 

“I pray to God with all my [expletive] heart that somebody cuts your [expletive] throat from ear to ear you worthless piece of [expletive],” Nelson’s comment read, according to court documents. 

“The Court does not, in any way, disregard or minimize statements concerning state and federal judges and attorneys general,” the judge wrote. “Those comments and rhetoric are even more offensive and violent than the agent-focused statements. Moreover, they support concerns that Nelson might resort to violence in the future.” 

The judge added, “Yet, the Court is mindful of its directive to consider not only the nature of any alleged threats but also Mr. Nelson’s resources and capabilities.” 

In connection with the Jan. 6 riot, Nelson faces charges like obstruction, entering a restricted building, and disorderly conduct. He pleaded not guilty.