By Michael V. Cusenza
A Glendale man on Monday pleaded guilty to an indictment charging him with threatening to assault and murder a United States district judge, federal prosecutors said.
Kenneth Ward, Jr., 59, was infuriated by the judge’s dismissal of a civil action last summer, according to the indictment. On July 15, 2024, Ward participated in a telephonic status conference in connection with his case. During that conference, which was recorded, the defendant became angry and threatened to choke the District Judge “to death.” “And that’s on the f—ing – on the record,” Ward seethed. At the plea hearing, Ward admitted that he made the threat in retaliation for the judge’s ruling against him in his civil case.
File Photo
The borough resident now faces up to a decade in prison.
“The judges and other court officials who work every day to keep our country safe and uphold the rule of law should not have to fear for their lives for doing their jobs,” stated United States Attorney Durham. “Threatening judges strikes at the very heart of our system. This Office has no tolerance for violence or threats of violence against public servants. We will prosecute offenders like the defendant to the fullest extent of the law.”
This week’s plea hearing was held before U.S. District Judge John Cronan, sitting by designation, prosecutors noted. When sentenced, Ward faces up to 10 years in prison.
