Lady Justice
Greenbelt, MD – A California man has pleaded guilty to attempting to assassinate a sitting U.S. Supreme Court Justice in a plot that federal officials called a “heinous attack” on the nation’s judiciary.
Nicholas John Roske, 29, of Simi Valley, admitted in federal court on Tuesday that he traveled to Maryland in June 2022 with a firearm, ammunition, and burglary tools, intending to kill a Justice. The guilty plea comes nearly three years after his arrest outside the Justice’s Montgomery County residence.
According to court documents, Roske flew from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C., on June 7, 2022, armed with a Glock 17 pistol, tactical gear, zip ties, duct tape, and other weapons. Early the next morning, U.S. Marshals spotted him dressed in black, carrying a backpack and suitcase near the Justice’s home.
After initially walking away, Roske called 911, confessing to homicidal and suicidal thoughts and admitting he had come to kill a specific Justice. Police arrested him without incident and recovered his weapons cache, which included:
- A loaded handgun with extra ammunition
- A tactical knife and chest rig
- Pepper spray, a hammer, and lock-picking tools
- Hiking boots modified to conceal footsteps
In subsequent interviews, Roske cited anger over the leaked draft opinion overturning Roe v. Wade and the Uvalde school shooting as motivations for the attack.
Attorney General Pamela Bondi condemned the plot as an assault on the judiciary itself, warning that such acts would be met with “the full force of the law.” FBI Director Kash Patel and Maryland U.S. Attorney Kelly O. Hayes echoed the sentiment, emphasizing that violence against public officials would not be tolerated.
Roske now faces up to life in prison when sentenced on October 3 by U.S. District Judge Deborah L. Boardman. This incident highlights ongoing security concerns for Supreme Court Justices, who have faced increased threats since the 2022 abortion ruling. Federal protections for Justices were expanded after the plot, but Roske’s case underscores persistent risks to judicial safety.
