Nicholas John Roske, 29, of Simi Valley, California, has pleaded guilty to attempting to kill a U.S. Supreme Court Justice.
“This calculated attempt on the life of a sitting U.S. Supreme Court Justice was a heinous attack on the Court itself,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “Anyone who thinks they can use violence or intimidation to influence our courts will be met with the full force of the law and face up to life in prison.”
As part of his guilty plea, Roske admitted that on June 7, 2022, he flew from Los Angeles International Airport to Dulles International Airport with a firearm and ammunition in his checked baggage.
He then took a taxi from the airport to Montgomery County, Maryland, with the intent to kill the Supreme Court Justice.
According to the criminal complaint and the government’s factual allegations, on June 8, 2022, at approximately 1:05 a.m., two Deputy U.S. Marshals protecting the residence of a Supreme Court Justice observed Roske arrive in and get out of a taxi in front of the residence.
Roske wore black clothing and had a backpack and suitcase. Upon observing Roske, the two Deputy U.S. Marshals started to get out of their vehicles as the defendant proceeded to walk down the street.
Shortly after, Roske told a Montgomery County Emergency Communications Center call taker that he was having homicidal and suicidal thoughts, had a gun in his suitcase, and had flown from California to kill a specific Supreme Court Justice.
Montgomery County Police Department officers responded to the location and took Roske into custody.
A search of Roske’s suitcase and backpack revealed a firearm; black tactical chest rig and tactical knife; two magazines, each containing 10 rounds of ammunition; 17 additional rounds of ammunition; pepper spray; zip ties; a hammer; screwdrivers; a nail punch; a crowbar; a pistol light; duct tape; hiking boots with padding on the outside of the soles; and lock-pick tools, along with other items.
Law enforcement transported Roske to a Montgomery County Police Department station, where he was read his Miranda rights.
Roske then stated that he was upset about a recently leaked Supreme Court draft decision on abortion as well as the recent school shooting in Uvalde, Texas.
The defendant also admitted that he came from California with the intent to use the firearm and burglary tools to kill the Supreme Court Justice.
Roske faces a maximum sentence of life imprisonment. U.S. District Judge Deborah L. Boardman scheduled sentencing for October 3.
