Las Vegas man John Anthony Miller will serve nearly four years in prison for making antisemitic threats against U.S. senators, including Senator Jacky Rosen, after leaving disturbing voicemails targeting both the officials and their families.
Quick Takes
- John Anthony Miller, 44, received a 46-month prison sentence for making threatening antisemitic calls to U.S. Senators
- The threats occurred over a two-week period in October 2023 through voicemails left at senators’ offices
- Miller specifically targeted Senator Jacky Rosen of Nevada and threatened family members of multiple senators
- His sentence includes three years of supervised release following his prison term
- Miller pleaded guilty to threatening a federal official and retaliating against federal officials by threatening family members
Details of the Sentencing
U.S. District Judge Jennifer A. Dorsey handed down a 46-month prison sentence to John Anthony Miller, a 44-year-old Las Vegas resident, for making serious threats against United States senators. The Justice Department announced the sentencing after Miller pleaded guilty to one count of threatening a federal official and two counts of influencing, impeding, or retaliating against a federal official by threatening family members. After serving his prison term, Miller will undergo three years of supervised release as part of his sentence.
The threats took place during a two-week period between October 11 and October 25, 2023. Miller specifically targeted a U.S. Senator from Nevada, identified in other reports as Senator Jacky Rosen, along with family members of two senators. Court documents show that Miller’s threatening communications were antisemitic in nature and were intended to intimidate and impede the senators in performing their official duties.
Investigation and Prosecution
The investigation into Miller’s threatening activities was led by the FBI Las Vegas Field Office with assistance from multiple law enforcement partners. These included the United States Capitol Police, Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, and the Cannon County Sheriff’s Office. The complex nature of threats against federal officials typically requires coordination between multiple agencies to ensure thorough investigation and appropriate prosecution.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jacob Operskalski and Daniel Schiess for the District of Nevada. Federal prosecutors take threats against government officials particularly seriously due to the potential impact on democratic institutions and the functioning of government. The charges Miller faced carried significant penalties reflecting the severity with which such threats are viewed under federal law.
Rising Concerns About Threats to Public Officials
Miller’s case highlights growing concerns about threats directed at elected officials across the country. According to law enforcement sources, threats against members of Congress have increased dramatically in recent years. The U.S. Capitol Police reported investigating thousands of threats against members of Congress annually, with numbers rising substantially since 2017. These threats create not only personal safety concerns but can disrupt the normal functioning of government and democratic processes.
Federal authorities have emphasized the importance of reporting potential threats. The Justice Department press release regarding Miller’s sentencing explicitly encouraged citizens to report suspected threatening communications to the FBI or local authorities. Law enforcement agencies have increased resources dedicated to investigating threats against public officials as the problem has grown in scope and severity in recent years.
The Impact of Threats on Democracy
The targeting of elected officials through threats and intimidation poses serious challenges to the functioning of democratic institutions. When public servants are threatened because of their identity or policy positions, it creates a chilling effect on governance and can discourage qualified individuals from seeking or remaining in office. In Miller’s case, the antisemitic nature of the threats adds a concerning dimension of targeting based on religious identity.
The 46-month sentence given to Miller sends a clear message about the seriousness with which federal courts view threats against elected officials. As incidents of political violence and intimidation have increased in the United States, prosecutors have sought substantial penalties in cases involving threats to public officials, regardless of the political affiliation of either the perpetrator or the targeted officials.
