TULSA, Okla. -A man who allegedly threatened to take the life of a federal judge and to return to the courthouse with an armed militia was charged in federal court, announced U.S Attorney Clint Johnson.
Cole Walker Morris, 29, was charged by Criminal Complaint with threatening to kidnap, assault, or murder a United States judge.
On Jan. 10, 2023, Morris, with court documents in hand, approached the intake counter at the Page Belcher Federal Courthouse to ask questions about the dismissal of his pro se lawsuit. An employee explained the documents to him and why it had been dismissed.
According to the Complaint, Morris then became agitated and started making threatening statements. Morris allegedly threatened to hold down Chief U.S. District Judge John F. Heil III and stated that the judge was going to “give his life.” Morris said that he would return to the courthouse with an armed militia and take hostages. He further asked the employee if the glass between the two was bullet proof, made threats to rape employees, and stated that the acts were within his rights as an American.
At that point, Morris said he would return and fled the building.
Individuals with information about Morris’ whereabouts may contact the Tulsa Police Department or the FBI-Oklahoma City Field Office at (405) 290-7770.
The FBI and Tulsa Police Department are the investigative agencies. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher J. Nassar and Robert T. Raley are prosecuting the case.
This matter will proceed in United States District Court in Tulsa, where the Complaint is currently pending. A Complaint is a temporary charge alleging a violation of law. For the case to proceed to trial, the United States must present the charge to a federal Grand Jury within 30 days. Once a Grand Jury returns an Indictment, a defendant has a right to a jury trial at which the United States would have the burden of proving the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.