Jonathan D. Ross U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas
Michael Buck, a multi-convicted felon from Glenallen, Missouri, was sentenced on April 2 to 300 months in federal prison for threatening a federal judge, a federal law enforcement officer, and their families. The announcement was made by Jonathan D. Ross, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas. Chief United States District Judge Kristine G. Baker handed down the sentence.
The case underscores concerns about threats against public officials and their families in connection with their official duties. Prosecutors said Buck's actions included violent threats while he was an inmate at the Federal Correctional Institution in Forrest City, Arkansas.
Buck had been indicted by a federal grand jury on February 4, 2025, on five counts including threatening both officials and their families as well as making false statements to law enforcement officers. He pleaded guilty to all charges on April 29, 2025. In addition to his prison term, Buck received three years of supervised release; there is no parole in the federal system.
Authorities said that during March 2025 an FBI special agent investigated Buck after learning he had made various threats regarding his intent to kill multiple people upon his release from prison. Recordings captured Buck making explicit threats against the judge who sentenced him in a previous commercial sex trafficking case and against the former prosecutor involved in that case—along with family members of both individuals.
According to prosecutors, Buck admitted using a contraband phone while incarcerated to locate potential victims and even called one individual before hanging up when they answered. His criminal history includes convictions for second-degree burglary, assault offenses including domestic violence and resisting arrest, creating substantial risk of injury or death to others, and violating orders of protection.
"Threats to kill public officials and their families for simply doing their jobs will not be tolerated," said U.S. Attorney Ross. "Here, once law enforcement learned that in addition to the defendant’s grotesque threats...the defendant had also taken steps to locate his intended victims just as he was about to be released from prison, quick action was taken...We are grateful for the brave witness that came forward...and also the investigation by the United States Marshals Service, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Bureau of Prisons that resulted in stopping Buck from the evil he intended...We are thankful that the court recognized that Buck is a sadistic and dangerous individual that needs to be removed from society for an additional 25 years."
The investigation involved collaboration between several agencies including the Federal Bureau of Investigation with assistance from United States Marshals Service and Bureau of Prisons.
