Miami Courant

An Illinois man has been detained in South Florida on charges of threatening a federal judge. During an initial hearing held in Miami on October 30, Eric James Rennert, 55, from Champaign, Illinois, was ordered to remain in custody.

The six-count indictment alleges that Rennert transmitted threats to kidnap and injure a U.S. judge and the judge's family. He is also accused of threatening to assault, kidnap, and murder the judge with the intent to impede or retaliate against them for their official duties.

If found guilty of interstate transmission of threats, Rennert could face up to five years in prison for each count. For charges related to threatening assault, kidnapping, and murder of a U.S. judge, he faces up to ten years per count. Sentencing will be determined by a federal district court judge based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors if he is convicted.

The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida and Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey B. Veltri of the FBI's Miami Field Office.

The case is being investigated by FBI Miami and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Elena Smukler.

It is important to note that an indictment only contains allegations; all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.

Further information regarding related court documents can be accessed through the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida or via their PACER system under case number 24-cr-20425.