Las Vegas Woman Sentenced to 10 Years for Threats Against Two Federal Judges and Probation Officer

LAS VEGAS - Latonia Smith of Las Vegas was sentenced in federal court today to 10 years in prison for threatening two federal judges and a probation officer, all of whom were involved in her previous federal conviction for death threats she made against lawyers in yet another case.

The sentencing hearing took place in Dallas, Texas, where Smith is being detained.

"Threatening the judiciary strikes at the heart of our justice system," said U.S. Attorney Adam Gordon for the Southern District of California. "These were not impulsive words typed in anger - they were calculated, researched, and designed to terrorize. Today's sentence makes clear that targeting judges and their families will be met with serious consequences."

"Today's sentencing sends a powerful message: the FBI stands firm against threats of violence and is unwavering in our commitment to protect every member of our community," said FBI Special Agent in Charge Christopher S. Delzotto of the Las Vegas field office. "Acts that endanger others - especially those safeguarding our democratic process - will not be tolerated. We are dedicated to working with our law enforcement partners to disrupt and investigate violent rhetoric, holding accountable anyone who seeks to harass, intimidate, or harm others."

Smith was originally convicted in 2021 of mailing threats to, among others, certain lawyers involved in a civil case.

In the current case, after a six-day trial in June 2025, a jury found that Smith threatened U.S. District Judge Richard Franklin Boulware, who presided over Smith's 2021 trial and sentenced her to 36 months in prison for that offense. The jury also found that Smith targeted U.S. District Judge Jennifer A. Dorsey, who presided over the defendant's supervised release, and Shawn Mummey, her probation officer.

The trial took place in the federal courthouse in Las Vegas. The presiding judge was Senior District Court Judge Michael W. Mosman, from the District of Oregon, who was appointed to preside over the case by special designation of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.

According to court documents, in the weeks and months leading up to today's sentencing hearing, Smith demonstrated no remorse for her crimes. In June 2025, Smith told Deputy U.S. Marshals "I won't be locked up forever; I will get out. When I get out, people are going to die." In February 2026, Smith sent a letter to U.S. Probation to indicate that she "will not be censored" and that she "will continue to wage war" against government officials and that the "road to systemic change has always been paved with blood."

In pronouncing the sentence, Judge Mosman explained that "community safety" was a significant factor because Smith had "proven to be smart, strong, but dangerous."

When Smith was released from federal prison in the first case against her, she was sent to Washoe County jail to face allegations related to an October 31, 2019, armed home-invasion in Reno she allegedly committed against another lawyer involved in a prior case..

Smith was granted bail in early June 2022. Upon her return to Las Vegas, Smith immediately began searching Google for information about Judge Boulware along with his wife, Las Vegas City Councilwoman Nancy Brune, and their family. At the same time, she googled "judges should die."

Over the next several weeks, the defendant became increasingly frustrated with judges and anyone involved with her prior federal case. On June 23, 2022, the defendant emailed her probation officer and explained, "Some good advice: Life is short, society should be careful who they piss off." Below the warning, the defendant sent a link to a YouTube video showing a six-minute compilation of cell phone videos from the October 1 mass shooting at the Mandalay Bay Hotel.

Over the next few days, Smith sent a series of emails. Some threatened a mass casualty event: "LET THE SHOW BEGIN. NEVADA IS GOING TO LOVE THIS!!!!" Some were designed to let victims know their loved ones were in jeopardy: "LETS KEEP [YOUR KIDS] IN FOCUS".

Throughout many of the emails, the defendant made it clear that she had deeply researched the recipients of her threats, accurately identifying where they could be found, either during hobby activities, or in their actual homes. For example, to Judge Jennifer Dorsey the defendant wrote: "Tell Jennifer, Henderson is nice I see why she chose that area. Lots of shops nearby. Smart." At trial, Judge Dorsey testified that the defendant's identification of her personal residence was a significant factor in the decision to sell her home and move.

The victims of Smith's threats testified at trial they were frightened and believed Smith was capable of violently acting on her threats as she had allegedly done in the pending case regarding the armed home invasion targeting the lawyer in Reno.

The investigation, which was led by the FBI, found that Smith, who has a biochemistry degree from the University of Nevada Las Vegas, Googled phrases like "judges die," "how to become a bomb maker," "how to be a mass shooter," "buying a gun," and "ar 15 for sale." She also watched the compilation of videos from the October 1 mass shooting 13 times over a three-week period. At the same time, the defendant repeatedly searched the names of her targets, some of their children, and some of their home addresses. The jury deliberated for less than a day before returning a guilty verdict on three counts of cyberstalking for the emails sent to Judges Dorsey and Boulware, along with her probation officer. The jury acquitted the defendant on the other two counts of cyberstalking.

Smith's prosecution was initiated by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Nevada, out of their office in Reno. In March 2024, the Department of Justice recused the entire U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Nevada and had the prosecution reassigned.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Andrew Haden and Francisco Nagel for the Southern District of California, both of whom were named Special Assistant U.S. Attorneys in Las Vegas after the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Nevada was recused.

DEFENDANT Case Number 22CR051-MWM

Latonia Dyshawna Smith Age: 32 Las Vegas, NV

SUMMARY OF CHARGES

Three Counts of Cyberstalking - Title 18, U.S.C., Sections 2261A

Maximum penalty: Five years in prison, as to each count of conviction

INVESTIGATING AGENCY

Federal Bureau of Investigation