Virginia inmate sentenced to 42 months in prison for sending handwritten threats to federal officials
Fries, Virginia – A 50-year-old man from Fries has been sentenced to three-and-a-half years in federal prison after pleading guilty to mailing threats to harm multiple federal officials while already incarcerated on state charges.
Handwritten Threats While Behind Bars
Jonathan Reed Stiltner admitted to sending threatening letters to several federal employees, including a federal judge, an Assistant U.S. Attorney, a federal probation officer, and a member of the Federal Public Defender’s Office. These threats were made while he was in custody on separate felony charges brought by Dickenson County authorities.
Stiltner pleaded guilty in March 2025 to one count of mailing threats to injure officers of the United States. On Wednesday, a federal court sentenced him to 42 months in prison.
The threats were made in multiple handwritten letters sent through the U.S. mail while Stiltner was in jail. One specific letter, dated November 13, 2023, targeted individuals by name and implied that harm would come to them if federal charges weren’t filed quickly against him.
In that letter, Stiltner warned federal officials, writing, “Although Im incarcerated I still have people on the street who can do things and if Im not charged federally ASAP as I was told I would be Im going to send people to pay [specific government officials] visits.” He further escalated his threats by writing, “Does someone have to get hurt to prove Im very serious.”
Prosecutors Condemn Threats to the Justice System
Acting United States Attorney Robert N. Tracci strongly condemned the threats in a statement following Stiltner’s sentencing.
“Every day, judges, the judiciary staff, prosecutors, and public defenders work for the American justice system and should be free to do their work for our great Nation without fear of violence or retaliation,” Tracci stated. “This office will aggressively prosecute those who attack our justice system by threatening violence against those who serve it.”
History of Incarceration and Legal Trouble
At the time of the threats, Stiltner was already in custody for a series of state felony charges. While the nature of those charges was not detailed in the sentencing release, his history of criminal behavior appears to have escalated with his targeting of federal judicial figures and law enforcement officers through the mail.
Now facing over three years in federal prison, Stiltner remains in custody and will be transferred to a federal facility to serve his sentence.
His case underscores growing concerns over the safety of individuals serving within the justice system and the legal consequences for those who attempt to intimidate or threaten violence against public servants.
