Illinois Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Threatening to Kill Federal Judge

MIAMI - An Illinois man has been sentenced to federal prison for sending a series of threatening communications to a U.S. District Judge in the Southern District of Florida, including threats directed at the judge and the judge's family.

U.S. District Judge William F. Jung for the Middle District of Florida sentenced Eric James Rennert, 56, of Champaign, Illinois, to 33 months in federal prison after he pleaded guilty to three counts of threatening to assault, kidnap, and murder a U.S. judge with the intent to impede, intimidate, or interfere with the judge's ability to perform official duties and with the intent to retaliate against the judge.

"Threatening a federal judge is not protest. It is a federal crime," said U.S. Attorney Jason A. Reding Quiñones for the Southern District of Florida. "When someone sends violent threats to intimidate a judge or terrorize a judge's family, they are attacking the rule of law itself. Let this sentence send a clear message: if you threaten a judge in the Southern District of Florida, we will find you, we will charge you, and we will move your case swiftly and aggressively. Our judges will continue to do their jobs without fear, and this Office will ensure they are protected."

"Threats to kill a federal judge are an attack on our justice system and will not be tolerated" said Special Agent in Charge Brett Skiles of the FBI, Miami Field Office. "Mr. Rennert engaged in egregious criminal conduct which resulted in a thorough investigation and aggressive prosecution. Our judicial system, and the officers of the court who work within it, must be free from intimidation to ensure the impartiality of their work. The FBI will vigorously investigate these types of threats to preserve the integrity of our courts."

According to court records, between May and July 2024, Rennert sent multiple emails from his personal account to the judge's personal email address, each containing escalating threats of violence.

On May 25, 2024, Rennert sent an email threatening that the judge and the judge's family would be "hunted down" and executed. Three days later, on May 28, 2024, Rennert mistakenly sent a similar threatening email to an unrelated professor with the same name before quickly forwarding it to the intended judge. That message again included threats of violence and death directed at the judge and referencing the judge's family.

Rennert continued his conduct on June 25, 2024, sending another email containing profane and violent threats, including statements that the judge would be killed regardless of the outcome of future events. On July 24, 2024, Rennert sent a final email with the subject line "your going down," again threatening to kill the judge.

U.S. Attorney Reding Quiñones and Special Agent in Charge Skiles made the announcement.

FBI Miami investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Elena Smukler-Dominguez and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Wheeler III prosecuted the case.

Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.govLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the "external link" icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link. or at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.govLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the "external link" icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link., under case number 24-cr-20425.

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