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This undated photo provided by the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, shows U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan. Chutkan is initially assigned to the election fraud case against former President Donald Trump. (Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts via AP)
The Associated Press
A Texan woman has been taken into custody after allegedly leaving a threatening and racially charged voicemail for the federal judge overseeing the Justice Department's case against former President Donald Trump regarding election interference. The incident, involving Judge Tanya Chutkan, has led to a federal charge against Abigail Jo Shry.
According to a filed criminal complaint, Shry is accused of leaving a voicemail on August 5th containing threats against Judge Chutkan, who is of Black ethnicity. The voicemail reportedly included statements like "You are in our sights, we want to kill you." The message also suggested that if Trump did not win the 2024 presidential election, "we are coming to kill you," along with threats targeting Chutkan's family and public image. Shry's voicemail extended similar threats towards Democratic Representative Sheila Jackson Lee of Texas, who is also Black, and the LGBTQ community.
Following the voicemail, Department of Homeland Security agents visited Shry's residence three days later in Alvin, near Houston. Court documents indicate that Shry admitted to making the call during the agents' visit. She mentioned that while she did not intend to travel to Washington, D.C., she expressed concerns if Lee visited Alvin.
Shry was subsequently arrested on a federal charge related to transmitting threats across state lines. A detention hearing took place, and a Texas federal judge ordered Shry's detention pending trial.
As of now, Shry's public defender has not provided comments to media inquiries, and the federal court in Washington, D.C. declined to comment.
Donald Trump, who was indicted this month on charges connected to his alleged involvement in attempts to overturn the 2020 election, has faced legal action in multiple jurisdictions. In response to the case, Judge Chutkan issued a protective order to manage sensitive case information. Trump has publicly criticized Judge Chutkan, questioning her impartiality. This recent incident adds to the broader legal context surrounding Trump and his interactions with the legal system.
