A Houston resident, Jeremy James Joseph, has been sentenced to 16 years in federal prison for transmitting threats through interstate commerce. The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani. Joseph, aged 42, represented himself during the proceedings and entered a guilty plea on December 13.

U.S. District Judge Lee H. Rosenthal imposed the sentence, which includes three years of supervised release following imprisonment. During the hearing, evidence was presented detailing how Joseph repeatedly threatened his victims in a sadistic manner. The court noted that Joseph showed no remorse for his actions or their impact on the victims.

Joseph admitted to sending threatening emails over two years to various individuals within the Harris County judicial system, including judges, lawyers, and court personnel. His messages contained explicit threats such as "rage gunfire and bombs on Harris County" along with graphic descriptions of intended violence.

The threats extended beyond local officials; Joseph also targeted news media outlets, universities, and hospitals both inside and outside Houston with similar emails containing racial, homophobic, and ethnic slurs.

During sentencing, Joseph chose not to address the court or speak on his own behalf.

“Jeremy James Joseph's despicable actions involved sending heinous threats through emails to judges, lawyers and public officials over two years," stated Hamdani. "His conduct breached the safety and peace of mind essential for public servants to carry out their duties effectively."

Joseph will remain in custody until he is transferred to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility at a later date.

The investigation was conducted by the FBI with Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard D. Hanes prosecuting the case.