Abhinaba Barthakur, a dual citizen of the United States and India, has been charged with making violent threats against several public figures, including a federal judge. The charges were announced by U.S. Attorney Alina Habba in Trenton, New Jersey.
Barthakur, 58, formerly from Hillsborough Township, New Jersey, faces five counts of transmitting threats in interstate or foreign commerce and one count of retaliating against a federal judge by threat.
"Let today’s Indictment serve as both a warning and a wake-up call. My office will act quickly and decisively against anyone who threatens a public official," said U.S. Attorney Habba. "The conduct alleged in the Indictment is as heinous as it is troubling: threats to a federal judge, two state superior court judges, an elected official, and a private New Jersey resident."
According to the indictment details:
In December 2018, Barthakur left the United States and has not returned since.
On July 14, 2020, he allegedly called an elected official's office in Somerville, New Jersey, threatening assault.
On September 13 and September 22 of the same year, Barthakur reportedly threatened two New Jersey Superior Court Judges over voicemail.
On October 16, 2023, he allegedly threatened to assault and murder a Somerset County resident using a .22 caliber handgun.
Finally, on November 26, 2024, Barthakur is accused of threatening to assault and murder a United States District Court Judge with intent to interfere with their duties.
Each charge related to transmitting threats carries up to five years imprisonment. The charge concerning retaliation against a federal judge could result in up to ten years imprisonment. Each charge also includes potential fines up to $250,000.
U.S. Attorney Alina Habba credited multiple law enforcement agencies for their role in the investigation leading to these charges. These include special agents from the FBI Newark Field Office under Special Agent Stefanie Roddy; deputy marshals from the U.S. Marshals Service under Marshal Juan Mattos Jr.; special agents from Homeland Security Investigations under Special Agent Ricky J. Patel; detectives from Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office under Prosecutor John McDonald; members of Hillsborough Township Police Department under Chief Mike McMahon; and Branchburg Police Department under Chief Richard Buck.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Tracey Agnew is representing the government in this case.
The indictment's charges are accusations at this stage; Barthakur remains presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
