Texas Woman Admits to Threatening Judge in Trump Election Case

Abigail Jo Shry pleaded guilty to making death threats against a federal judge and others amid rising threats to public officials.

Abigail Jo Shry, from Alvin, Texas, pleaded guilty to threatening U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan, who is overseeing Donald Trump's federal election interference case.
Shry's threats included racist slurs and promises of violence against Judge Chutkan, Democratic Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, and members of the LGBTQ+ community.
The threats were made via a voicemail on August 5, 2023, shortly after Trump's election-subversion charges were unsealed and assigned to Judge Chutkan.
Shry believed her threats were protected by the First Amendment, but federal authorities clarified that the Constitution does not protect death threats.
Shry is out on bond and faces up to five years in prison with a $250,000 fine; her sentencing is scheduled for January 14, 2025.