Houstonian ordered to prison for sending threatening emails to Harris County officials and others

HOUSTON - A 42-year-old Houston resident has been sentenced for his role in the transmission in interstate commerce containing a threat to injure the person of another, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.

Jeremy James Joseph represented himself at the re-arraignment and sentencing and entered a guilty plea Dec. 13.

U.S. District Judge Lee H. Rosenthal has now ordered Joseph to serve 16 years in federal prison to be immediately followed by three years of supervised release. At the hearing, the court heard additional evidence detailing the sadistic way Joseph repeatedly threatened his victims. In handing down the sentence, the court noted Joseph did not show remorse for his actions or the harm he caused his victims.

Joseph admitted during his plea hearing to sending threatening emails to multiple victims, including judges, lawyers and court personnel in the Harris County judicial system over a two-year period. These messages included explicit threats, including a threat to "rage gunfire and bombs on Harris County," as well as graphic descriptions of the violence he intended to commit.

Joseph also admitted to sending similar emails to news media outlets, universities and hospitals both within and outside the Houston area. The emails contained not only threats but also numerous racial, homophobic and ethnic slurs, amplifying the severity of his actions.

Joseph declined the opportunity to address the court during his sentencing, opting not to 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, expressing intentions to commit unparalleled violence and chaos," said Hamdani. "His conduct breached the safety and peace of mind essential for public servants to carry out their duties effectively. My office's commitment to protecting public officials from such unparalleled threats ensures the integrity and continuous functioning of our justice system, prevents fear and chaos from taking root in its operations and keeps Mr. Joseph off the streets for the next 16 years."

Joseph will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.

The FBI conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard D. Hanes is prosecuting the case.