Candidates for a 25th Judicial District judge vacancy will be interviewed on Sept. 8 at the Finney County Courthouse. Gavel
Los Angeles, California – A Brentwood man has been found guilty of a federal felony after sending a series of graphic and threatening messages to a New Jersey judge for eight months, the U.S. Department of Justice announced.
Jonathan Lipman, 36, was convicted Thursday by a federal jury of one count of stalking for a sustained campaign of harassment targeting New Jersey Superior Court Judge Kimarie Rahill. The conviction stems from dozens of violent, threatening emails and voicemails Lipman sent to the judge between February and September 2023.
According to federal prosecutors, Lipman’s conduct escalated steadily despite warnings from law enforcement. He not only sent threatening messages but also tracked down the judge’s home address and contacted a neighbor in an apparent attempt to spread fear. Many of the emails were described in court as increasingly graphic and disturbing, with some including vivid depictions of violence.
In July 2023, Lipman sent multiple emails to the judge describing violent fantasies about her death. In one particularly chilling email, Lipman attached a photo of a shotgun with the subject line: “Is a photo illegal?” The body of the message contained only a winking emoticon. Another message read: “If I want to put Judge Kimarie Rahill’s head on a mantle all I need is a photo of her and a picture frame.”
Lipman’s harassment began after Judge Rahill signed an order that barred him from owning firearms following threats he posted to the Lacey Township Police Department’s Facebook page. That restraining order, issued in New Jersey, appears to have fueled Lipman’s rage, prompting him to target Rahill directly.
Despite early interventions, including a visit from LAPD officers, Lipman continued his threats, which ultimately led to his arrest in September 2023. He has remained in federal custody since then.
Authorities tried Lipman in a three-day trial in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles. Judge Fernando L. Aenlle-Rocha has scheduled sentencing for October 3. Lipman faces a statutory maximum of five years in federal prison.
The FBI investigated the case, which was handled by Prosecutor Clifford D. Mpare and Daniel H. Weiner of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Los Angeles.
Officials emphasize that cyberstalking—particularly when it targets public officials—is a serious federal offense and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
