Phoenix Man Sentenced to 51 Months in Prison for Threatening to Kill a Federal Judge

TUCSON, Ariz. – Clinton Mark Lewis, 52, of Phoenix, was sentenced on Monday by United States District Judge Scott H. Rash, to 51 months in prison. Lewis pleaded guilty to one count of Influencing, Impeding, or Retaliating Against a Federal Official by Threat on May 8, 2024.

On July 25, 2022, Lewis was in federal court for sentencing after a jury found him guilty of possessing child pornography. As the district judge was pronouncing his sentence, Lewis erupted in court, shouting profanities and racial slurs at the judge. During his tirade, Lewis threatened to kill the judge and the judge’s grandchildren. As a result, Lewis was removed from the courtroom.

On April 27, 2023, Lewis was indicted on three separate charges: Influencing, Impeding, or Retaliating Against a Federal Official by Threat, Obstruction of Justice, and Contempt. On May 8, 2024, Lewis pleaded guilty to Influencing, Impeding, or Retaliating Against a Federal Official.

At the sentencing hearing, Lewis was sentenced to 51 months in prison, which the court ordered to run consecutive to the 151 months in prison Lewis is currently serving for possession of child pornography.

“Due process demands that a defendant have a meaningful opportunity to speak with a District Judge at sentencing,” said United States Attorney Gary Restaino. “But the right to allocute is not a license to antagonize or intimidate. We will continue to separately charge those who threaten judicial officers during court proceedings, and to seek additional, consecutive sentences to discourage and deter this criminal behavior.”

“The sentence handed down today underscores the seriousness of threatening a U.S. Marshals Service protectee,” said Acting U.S. Marshal Van Bayless. “Our very democracy is based on the premise that the Judiciary operate free from harm and intimidation of any type. I am grateful to our investigators and the U.S. Attorney’s prosecutors for their continued dedication and diligence in the protection of the judicial process.”

The United States Marshals Service Judicial Security Unit conducted the investigation in this case. The United States Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, Tucson, handled the prosecution.
 

CASE NUMBER:            CR-23-583-TUC-SHR
RELEASE NUMBER:    2024-110_Lewis

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