Latonia Smith, a resident of Las Vegas, was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for making threats against two federal judges and a probation officer. These individuals were involved in her previous conviction for sending death threats to lawyers in another case.
The sentencing took place in Dallas, Texas, where Smith is currently detained. The case was presided over by Senior District Court Judge Michael W. Mosman from the District of Oregon, who was specially appointed by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.
U.S. Attorney Adam Gordon for the Southern District of California commented on the significance of the sentence: “Threatening the judiciary strikes at the heart of our justice system. These were not impulsive words typed in anger — they were calculated, researched, and designed to terrorize. Today’s sentence makes clear that targeting judges and their families will be met with serious consequences.”
FBI Special Agent in Charge Christopher S. Delzotto of the Las Vegas field office added: “Today’s sentencing sends a powerful message: the FBI stands firm against threats of violence and is unwavering in our commitment to protect every member of our community. Acts that endanger others — especially those safeguarding our democratic process — will not be tolerated. We are dedicated to working with our law enforcement partners to disrupt and investigate violent rhetoric, holding accountable anyone who seeks to harass, intimidate, or harm others.”
Smith had previously been convicted in 2021 for mailing threats to several lawyers connected to a civil case. In June 2025, after a six-day trial held at the federal courthouse in Las Vegas, a jury found Smith guilty of threatening U.S. District Judge Richard Franklin Boulware (who presided over her 2021 trial), U.S. District Judge Jennifer A. Dorsey (who oversaw her supervised release), and her probation officer Shawn Mummey.
Court documents revealed that Smith showed no remorse before sentencing; she reportedly told Deputy U.S. Marshals that she would continue making threats once released and sent letters indicating intentions to “wage war” against government officials.
Judge Mosman noted during sentencing that “community safety” played an important role because Smith had “proven to be smart, strong, but dangerous.”
After serving time for her initial conviction, Smith was transferred to Washoe County jail due to allegations related to an armed home invasion involving another lawyer from a prior case.
Upon being granted bail and returning to Las Vegas in June 2022, Smith began searching online for information about Judge Boulware and his family as well as searching phrases like “judges should die.” She also sent emails warning her probation officer about potential violence and included links referencing mass shootings.
Over subsequent weeks, she continued sending threatening messages suggesting mass casualty events and indicating knowledge about victims’ personal lives and locations—actions which led one judge involved in her supervision to move homes out of concern for safety.
The investigation led by the FBI uncovered extensive research conducted by Smith into methods related to violence—including bomb-making—and repeated viewing of videos depicting mass shootings.
A jury ultimately convicted Smith on three counts of cyberstalking related to emails sent to Judges Dorsey and Boulware as well as her probation officer but acquitted her on two other counts.
The prosecution was initially handled by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Nevada before being reassigned after their recusal; Assistant U.S. Attorneys Andrew Haden and Francisco Nagel from the Southern District of California prosecuted the case as Special Assistant U.S. Attorneys.
