A 72-year-old man, Robert Phillip Ivers, has been charged with the grim task of threatening to murder a federal judge, as reported by the U.S. Attorney's office. Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson revealed that Ivers was no stranger to such allegations, having already served time for a similar offense.
According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Minnesota, Thompson's office declared, "The last thing we need is someone spreading fear into our churches, libraries, and courts." The accused had disseminated a manifesto in the Wayzata Library detailing a menacing scheme titled, "How to Kill a Federal Judge."
Authorities were alerted to Ivers' actions on September 3rd when he was seen presenting his disturbing writings to library staff. The aforementioned manifesto was not only shared, but library staff were also handed flyers promoting the diabolical literature, with promises that the "harsh reality is that judges are going to die," as reported by the U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Minnesota. Following this event, Ivers was arrested by the Wayzata Police Department.
Amidst the investigation, it came to light that Ivers had previously caused concern at an Episcopal church, warning congregants of his intention to attend future events, which included a family picnic and a children's blessing service. Church staff, alarmed by these intentions and after uncovering Ivers' unsettling history, rightfully contacted law enforcement. After conducting a search of Ivers' vehicle, law enforcement uncovered more incriminating items, including a photo of the former Pope with disturbing imagery and copies of the concerning material.
Following his release from the hospital for a claimed heart attack during his initial arrest, Ivers was taken into custody once again on September 5. As detailed on the U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Minnesota press release, during his interview with law enforcement, Ivers admitted to his intention to scare people with his book, bluntly stating: "It was supposed to!" Special Agent Alvin M. Winston Sr. of the FBI in Minneapolis reiterated the severity with which threats against public servants are regarded in a statement highlighting the FBI's commitment to protecting the legal system and its representatives.
Ivers is set to make his initial appearance in federal court this afternoon. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the case is a collaborative effort by the FBI, the Wayzata Police Department, and the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, with additional help from the U.S. Marshals Service and the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office. As the legal process unfolds, Ivers remains innocent until proven guilty, pending court adjudication.
