A Wayzata, Minnesota man convicted federally of threatening to kill a federal judge is once again charged with threatening to assault and murder a federal judge.
Federal investigators say 72-year-old Robert Ivers printed off copies of a manifesto titled “How to Kill a Federal Judge" inside the Wayzata Library on September 3.
“At a time when Minnesota is reeling from acts of violence, the last thing we need is someone spreading fear into our churches, libraries, and courts,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson. “Ivers’s threats are bone chilling. After the past few months, we are not taking chances. When someone threatens our community, we believe them, and we will act swiftly to protect Minnesotans.”
The manifesto fixated on two federal judges, one who he had previously threatened to kill and another judge who presided over his previous federal trial. Ivers’s manifesto is 236 pages long.
Ivers threatened to kill the judges, their families, children, and pets. One page in the manifesto also spoke of killing children.
His concerning behavior at an Episcopal church in Minnetonka on August 28 had also been reported to police.
In 2019, Ivers was convicted at trial of threatening to kill a federal judge in Minnesota.
“Threats of violence directed at federal judges not only undermine the integrity of our legal system but also pose a grave risk to the principles of justice and democracy,” said Special Agent in Charge Alvin M. Winston Sr. of FBI Minneapolis. “The FBI and our law enforcement partners consider all threats of violence against judges, or any public servants, with grave seriousness. These actions will not be tolerated. As this chilling case confirms, we are fully committed to protecting judges who devote themselves to our communities and legal system.”
Ivers appears in federal court later Tuesday afternoon. The United States will request that he be detained during the pendency of his federal case.