Marcus Pratt, a 39-year-old inmate currently serving time in a state prison in Live Oak, has entered a guilty plea on serious charges relating to threats made to a federal judge. Acting U.S. Attorney Sara C. Sweeney revealed that Pratt was charged with mailing threatening communications and influencing, impeding, or retaliating against a federal official. These charges could see Pratt facing an additional 10 years in federal prison for each count, as per the U.S. Attorney's Office, Middle District of Florida.
A plea agreement, as detailed by the Department of Justice, outlined that Pratt sent a series of handwritten threats via mail to a federal judge and the courthouse in Miami. In the letters, he threatened to not only kill the judge but also to unleash harm upon the judge's household and plant bombs around the U.S. Attorney's Office. These letters aimed to directly interfere with the judge's ability to freely perform their official duties.
Pratt's threats began in July 2023, with the intent clearly stated in his letters to murder the judge due to the judge's role in the judiciary. By sending out multiple letters on separate occasions with increasingly violent promises, he demonstrated an intent to escalate the situation. The sentencing date for Pratt has yet to be determined, allowing time to fully weigh the gravity of his offences against the justice system.
The investigation into Pratt's threatening behavior was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the United States Marshals Service. The case is currently being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Rachel Lasry and Kirwinn Mike.
