<mediadc-video-embed data-state="{"cms.site.owner":{"_ref":"00000161-3486-d333-a9e9-76c6fbf30000","_type":"00000161-3461-dd66-ab67-fd6b93390000"},"cms.content.publishDate":1654720167534,"cms.content.publishUser":{"_ref":"00000180-1937-dba2-a7ba-39b778700000","_type":"00000161-3461-dd66-ab67-fd6b933a0007"},"cms.content.updateDate":1654720167534,"cms.content.updateUser":{"_ref":"00000180-1937-dba2-a7ba-39b778700000","_type":"00000161-3461-dd66-ab67-fd6b933a0007"},"rawHtml":"
var _bp = _bp||[]; _bp.push({ "div": "Brid_54720053", "obj": {"id":"27789","width":"16","height":"9","video":"1028420"} }); ","_id":"00000181-4501-d702-a3cf-4fc177960000","_type":"2f5a8339-a89a-3738-9cd2-3ddf0c8da574"}”>Video EmbedThe man arrested outside Justice Brett Kavanaugh’s home has been charged with attempted murder.
Nicholas John Roske of Simi Valley, California, who was identified in a criminal complaint charging him with the attempted murder of a Supreme Court justice, was dressed in black when he arrived by taxi just after 1 a.m. outside Kavanaugh’s home in a Washington suburb.
Roske, a 26-year-old white man, had a Glock 17 pistol, ammunition, a knife, zip ties, pepper spray, duct tape, and other items that he told police he would use to break into Kavanaugh’s house and kill him, according to a criminal complaint and affidavit filed in federal court in Maryland. Roske said he purchased the gun specifically to kill Kavanaugh and that he also planned to then kill himself, according to the affidavit written by FBI agent Ian Montijo, who also interviewed Roske early Wednesday after he had confessed his plan to police.
ARMED MAN ARRESTED OUTSIDE KAVANAUGH’S HOUSE ‘WANTED TO KILL’ HIM OVER DRAFT ROE v. WADE REVERSAL
Police said they searched the bag and suitcase that Roske showed up with and found two magazines and ammunition to go along with the suspect’s freshly purchased pistol, a pistol light, a black tactical chest rig, a tactical knife, and pepper spray. He also had on him what seemed to be likely burglary tools, including a hammer, screwdriver, nail punch, crowbar, and hiking boots with padding on the outside of the soles. Roske also had zip ties and duct tape.
When he initially got out of the taxi, Roske was spotted by two deputy U.S. marshals who are part of round-the-clock security provided to the justices following the leak of a draft opinion last month. But Roske was only apprehended after he called 911 in Montgomery County, Maryland, and said he was having suicidal thoughts and planned to kill Kavanaugh, having found the justice’s address online. Roske was still on the phone when Montgomery County police arrived on the scene, according to the affidavit.
The U.S. attorney’s office in Maryland announced that Roske had been hit with federal charges of “attempted murder of a Supreme Court Justice.” The Justice Department said Roske told police that “he was upset about the leak of a recent Supreme Court draft decision regarding the right to abortion as well as the recent school shooting in Uvalde, Texas.” He faces a maximum of 20 years in prison if convicted.
The Washington Examiner was present in the Greenbelt, Maryland, federal courtroom where Roske made his initial appearance. He is being represented by Andrew Szekely, a federal public defender. Roske agreed to remain in custody for now but can attempt to revisit that decision in a future hearing.
Kathleen Gavin, the chief of the national security and cybercrime section at the Maryland U.S. attorney’s office, represented the Justice Department in the hearing in front of Magistrate Judge Timothy Sullivan.
Sullivan asked whether Roske understood the charges against him Wednesday. The defendant spoke briefly with his lawyer and replied, “I think I have a reasonable understanding.” He quickly clarified that he had “a clear enough understanding” of the charges.
Roske maintained a calm composure while awaiting the arrival of Szekely, who entered the courtroom 23 minutes after the defendant’s scheduled 3 p.m. initial appearance at the courthouse. He was not handcuffed during the hearing and was escorted by U.S. marshals after the judge adjourned.
Several Republican lawmakers immediately condemned the threat at Kavanaugh’s home, repeating previous calls for punishment over the draft leak. Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) tweeted on Wednesday that President Joe Biden should “condemn illegal protesting at justices’ homes, and pledge to protect every member of the Court from these escalating and dangerous threats.”
“Attacks on and threats toward Supreme Court officials have gone on for too long,” Lee added.
Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan, a Republican, lauded the Montgomery County Police Department for “quickly acting to apprehend the suspect,” noting that he and Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin, also a Republican, “will continue to partner with both federal and local law enforcement officials to help ensure these residential areas are secure.”
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) said the “disturbing” incident evinces why the Senate unanimously passed the Supreme Court security bill weeks ago. The bill was later blocked in the Democratic-controlled House.
The bill, introduced by Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX), would provide police protection to the immediate families of all nine justices and other officers of the court if the high court marshal determines such protections are necessary.
“House Democrats have inexplicably blocked it. House Democrats need to stop their blockade and pass this uncontroversial bill today,” McConnell said.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
The Supreme Court started an investigation into last month’s leak of its opinion apparently overturning Roe v. Wade and more recently began searches into mobile phone data for high court clerks and required them to sign legal affidavits as part of the investigation. The leak drew protesters to the homes of Kavanaugh, Justice Samuel Alito, and Chief Justice John Roberts in May.
The threat at Kavanaugh’s home comes one day after the Department of Homeland Security rebuffed a “heightened” terrorism advisory ahead of the Supreme Court’s expected reversal of the nation’s landmark abortion rights ruling.
