An armed man was arrested near Brett Kavanaugh’s home on suspicion of attempting to assassinate a US judge

After threatening to assassinate Justice Brett Kavanaugh, a man with a rifle, a knife, and zip ties was detained near his home in Maryland on Wednesday.

Nicholas John Roske, 26, of Simi Valley, California, has been charged with assassinating a Supreme Court justice. He agreed to remain in federal detention for the time being during a court appearance.

Roske was dressed in black when he arrived by a cab outside Kavanaugh’s home in a Washington suburb shortly after 1 a.m. According to a criminal complaint and an affidavit filed in federal court in Maryland, he possessed a Glock 17 pistol, ammo, a knife, zip ties, pepper spray, duct tape, and other items that he claimed authorities he would use to get into Kavanaugh’s residence and kill him. According to the affidavit, Roske stated that he bought the gun to kill Kavanaugh and that he would also kill himself.

Roske told police that a leaked draft opinion implying that the Supreme Court is poised to invalidate the landmark abortion case Roe v. Wade had distressed him. He also expressed his displeasure with the school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, and expressed his belief that Kavanaugh would vote to weaken gun control legislation, according to the affidavit.

The Supreme Court is currently considering a challenge to New York’s criteria for obtaining a permit to carry a pistol in public, a case that might make it easier for people to be armed on the streets of New York and other large cities.

Roske was recognized by two US Marshals as he exited the taxi, as part of the round-the-clock security granted to the justices following the release of the draft judgment last month. Roske, on the other hand, was only captured after calling 911 in Montgomery County, Maryland, and claiming to be having suicidal thoughts and planning to murder Kavanaugh after finding the justice’s address online. According to the affidavit, Roske was still on the phone when Montgomery County officers arrived on the site.

Roske paused many times during his 10-minute initial appearance in federal court in Greenbelt, Maryland, before replying to basic questions from U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy J. Sullivan.

Roske paused before saying, “I think I have a reasonable comprehension, but I wouldn’t say I’m thinking clearly.”

Roske claimed to be on medication but did not specify what it was or why he was taking it. He also stated that he holds a bachelor’s degree.

After the hearing, Roske’s lawyer, Andrew Szekely, a federal public defender, declined to comment on the case. Roske’s next court appearance is scheduled for June 22nd. A maximum sentence of 20 years in prison is imposed for attempted murder.

Picture Credit: CNN