Two individuals have been charged with making threats against federal judges in the Northern District of Texas, according to an announcement by U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Leigha Simonton.
First, Alice Marie Pence, 67, of Port Charlotte, Florida, faces charges of transmitting a threatening communication in interstate commerce and intending to influence a federal official by threat. Pence's indictment alleges that she made a phone call threatening to kill a U.S. District Judge with the intent to impede, intimidate, and interfere with the performance of official duties.
Second, Daniel Ray Garcia, 44, currently incarcerated in a Texas state prison in Midway, Texas, has been charged with two counts of mailing a threatening communication. Garcia's indictment states that he mailed a letter threatening to kill or injure a different U.S. District Judge.
Ms. Pence is scheduled to make her initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Renee Harris Toliver on Wednesday, November 22, 2023. Mr. Garcia made his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Lee Ann Reno on Thursday, November 9, 2023.
An indictment is an allegation of wrongdoing, not evidence, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
If convicted, Ms. Pence could face up to 15 years in federal prison, while Mr. Garcia could face up to 20 years. The U.S. Marshals Service conducted the investigation, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Weybrecht is prosecuting both cases.
