GREENBELT, MD—A California man pleaded guilty on Tuesday to plotting to assassinate a U.S. Supreme Court justice in Maryland, in what federal authorities called “a heinous attack on the court itself.”
Nicholas John Roske, 29, of Simi Valley, Calif., admitted as part of his guilty plea that he flew to Dulles International Airport last June with a gun and ammunition in his checked baggage intending to kill a justice, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Maryland.
Prosecutors said Roske told a Montgomery County Emergency Communications Center call taker about homicidal and suicidal thoughts, a gun in his suitcase, and flying from California to kill a specific Supreme Court justice.
Two deputy U.S. Marshals saw Roske arrive in a taxi in front of the justice’s residence at about 1 a.m. on June 8, 2022. He was wearing black clothing and carrying a backpack and suitcase, authorities said.
When the marshals got out of their vehicle, Roske told the 911 call taker that he was going to kill himself, according to the U.S. Attorney’s office.
Montgomery County Police Department officers arrested Roske. Authorities reported he was carrying a gun, a tactical chest rig and knife, two magazines with 10 rounds each, 17 more rounds of ammunition, pepper spray, zip ties, a hammer, screwdrivers, nail punch, crowbar, pistol light, duct tape, hiking boots with padded soles, and lock-pick tools.
After his arrest, Roske said he was upset about a leaked Supreme Court draft decision on abortion as well as the recent school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, prosecutors said.
Roske faces up to life in prison. Sentencing is scheduled for October 3, 2025.
U.S. Attorney Kelly O. Hayes said in a statement that “the attempted assassination of a United States Supreme Court Justice is an extreme, brazen act, one that we — along with our federal, local, and state law-enforcement partners — will not tolerate.” FBI Director Kash Patel said, “Nicholas Roske sought to commit a despicable, premeditated attack on a Supreme Court Justice and today is another step toward accountability.”
This article was written with the assistance of AI and reviewed by a human editor.
[Photo via Pixabay]
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