SOUTH SALT LAKE — A man is accused of threatening three judges by posting notices listing their pictures and information with the words "Wanted Dead or Alive" at the South Salt Lake Justice Court.
A justice court employee arrived at the court building, 220 E. Morris Ave., last June and found 15 notices taped to the doors of the justice court — one of which had the pictures and career summaries of three judges, according to charges filed in the 3rd District Court on Thursday.
Prosecutors say the information about South Salt Lake City Justice Court Judge Catherine Johnson, 4th District judges Lynn W. Davis and Steven L. Hansen were printed along with large typed words that read "Federal Warrant for the Arrest and Disposal of the Following Individuals."
The words "Wanted Dead or Alive" and "Criminal racketeering, humane trafficking and organized crime" appeared below the photos, charges state.
Prosecutors say Sean Fielding Smith signed his name at the bottom of the paper.
Charges state that a notice showing Smith's next court date in Judge Catherine Johnson's courtroom was also taped to the justice court doors.
Officers went to storage unit being rented by Smith later that day where they found and took photos of papers that read "Federal Warrant for the Arrest and Disposal of the Following Individuals," charges state.
The 43-year-old Smith was charged with three counts of influencing, impeding or retaliating against a judge by threat, all third-degree felonies.
— Lana Groves