Former Somerset County Man Charged with Making Violent Threats, including Threats to Kill a Federal Judge

TRENTON, N.J. – Abhinaba Barthakur, a dual citizen of the United States and India, was charged in a six-count Indictment today for making violent threats to a United States District Court Judge in the District of New Jersey, two New Jersey Superior Court Judges, an elected official, and a Somerset County resident, U.S. Attorney Alina Habba announced.

Barthakur, 58, formerly of Hillsborough Township, New Jersey, is charged in the Indictment with five counts of transmitting a threat in interstate or foreign commerce and one count of retaliating against a federal judge by threat.

“Let today’s Indictment serve as both a warning and a wake-up call. My office will act quickly and decisively against anyone who threatens a public official,” said U.S. Attorney Habba. “The conduct alleged in the Indictment is as heinous as it is troubling: threats to a federal judge, two state superior court judges, an elected official, and a private New Jersey resident. The conduct is not just reckless — it is a direct attack on our justice system. Targeting those who uphold the rule of law is an attack on every community they serve. This egregious behavior is unacceptable. And, as the charges make clear, no matter where you are, we will find you and hold you responsible.”

According to the allegations in the indictment:

In December 2018, Barthakur left the United States, and he has not returned.

On or about July 14, 2020, Barthakur called the office of a government official in the executive branch of the State of New Jersey (“Elected Official 1”), whose office was in Somerville, New Jersey.  Barthakur left a voicemail message threatening to assault Elected Official 1, including removing Elected Official 1’s fingers.

On or about September 13, 2020 and September 22, 2020, Barthakur called the chambers of a New Jersey Superior Court Judge in the Somerset Vicinage Civil Division (“Judge 1”).  Barthakur left voicemail messages threatening to assault Judge 1, including removing Judge 1’s fingers.  During the September 13, 2020 call to Judge 1, Barthakur also threated to injure a New Jersey Superior Court Judge in the Somerset Vicinage Family Division (“Judge 2”), specifically threatening to injure Judge 2’s fingers.

On or about October 16, 2023, Barthakur called a resident of Somerset County (“Victim 1”).  Barthakur left voicemail messages threatening to assault and murder Victim 1, including using a .22 caliber handgun to injure and kill Victim 1.

On November 26, 2024, Barthakur called the chambers of a United States District Court Judge, in the District of New Jersey (“Judge 3”), and threatened to assault and murder Judge 3, including using a .22 caliber handgun to injure and kill Judge 3.  Barthakur threatened to assault and murder Judge 3 with intent to impede, intimidate, and interfere with Judge 3 while he or she was engaged in the performance of his or her official duties, and to retaliate against Judge 3 on account of the performance of his or her official duties.

Each charge of transmitting a threat in interstate or foreign commerce carries a statutory maximum term of imprisonment of five years.  The charge of retaliating against a federal judge by threat carries a statutory maximum term of imprisonment of ten years. The charges each carry a maximum fine of $250,000.

U.S. Attorney Alina Habba credited special agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Newark Field Office, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge­­­­ Stefanie Roddy; deputy marshals of the U.S. Marshals Service, under the direction of Marshal Juan Mattos, Jr.; special agents of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Ricky J. Patel; detectives and Assistant Prosecutors of the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Prosecutor John McDonald; members of the Hillsborough Township Police Department, under the direction of Chief Mike McMahon; and members of the Branchburg Police Department, under the direction of Chief Richard Buck, with the investigation that lead to the charges

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Tracey Agnew of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Criminal Division in Trenton.

The charges and allegations contained in the indictment are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

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