Federal Charges Filed Against Carmichael Man for Interstate Threats Against a Judge

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - A criminal complaint was unsealed today charging Karl Czekai, 29, of Carmichael, with making interstate threats, U.S. Attorney Eric Grant announced.

According to court documents, Czekai is separated from his wife, who moved to Oklahoma with their child to get away from him. Once in Oklahoma, Czekai's wife filed for a protective order against Czekai, alleging that Czekai has held guns up to her and threatened to shoot her multiple times.

Also, according to court documents, in February 2026, Czekai began making social media posts about his wife and the Oklahoma judge who granted the protective order and is presiding over related proceedings. These posts include:

• Images of Czekai's avatar pointing a gun at a sitting judge with "FAMILY COURT" signage on the bench;
• Text threatening the judge that she will no longer be safe: "Hello, judge [VICTIM 1] of the Oklahoma City Courthouse remember me...the comfort of your title, the security of your robe, the certainty of your authority - all of that is about to be tested";
• Text warning that time is of the essence: "tick tock, Your Honor. You will be the first to set the example. I'm going to diss you publicly. to show future judges, and lawyers I'm not f---ing around";
• Text advising that he carries a gun: "Updated the gun to something more of what I would carry. I only carry a .45 and I'm definitely a 1911 guy"; and
• Text suggesting he is ready to follow through: "This is the breaking point. This is him saying: enough is enough."

Additionally, and as detailed in court documents, Czekai posted and shared with his wife videos threatening graphic violence against her.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation is conducting the investigation with assistance from the Midwest City Police Department and the Oklahoma County Sheriff's Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elliot Wong is prosecuting the case.

If convicted, Czekai faces a maximum statutory penalty of five years in prison. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The charges are only allegations; the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.