JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A Fernandina Beach man has been sentenced to federal prison for making an interstate threat against a Supreme Court Justice.
United States District Judge Marcia Morales Howard sentenced Neal Brij Sidhwaney, 43, to 14 months in federal prison for sending a message that threatened harm to the receiver.
According to court documents, on July 31, 2023, Sidhwaney placed a call to the Supreme Court, introduced himself, specified the message was for Chief Justice John Roberts, and then proceeded to insult and threaten to kill Roberts.
According to a court-ordered psychological evaluation, Sidhwaney was diagnosed with psychosis and has suffered from paranoid delusions since 2017. Sidhwaney’s mother reported that he frequently becomes enraged while watching the news, prompting him to write letters or make phone calls to government officials.
After a psychological evaluation, Sidhwaney was deemed competent to stand trial, during which he pleaded guilty in December.
According to a release, the case was investigated by the Supreme Court of the United States Capitol Police Threat Assessment Section and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kirwinn Mike and Special Assistant United States Attorney Joe Wheeler III.