John Karl O’Brien has been sentenced to 10.5 years in prison for attempted first-degree murder and threatening a judge, according to New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez. O'Brien was convicted last month on charges related to an incident where he threatened Judge Amanda Sanchez Villalobos with an ax. After serving his sentence, he will be on parole.
"Today’s sentence reflects the seriousness of the defendant’s actions and the gravity of threatening a judge," said Attorney General Raúl Torrez. "The court’s decision to impose the maximum penalty allowed by law underscores our shared commitment to protecting the integrity of the judicial system. I am grateful to our prosecutors and support team for their tireless work to secure justice in this case. Acts of intimidation or violence against members of the judiciary will not be tolerated in New Mexico."
In April 2024, O’Brien brought an ax into the 13th Judicial District Court building in Grants, NM, intending to harm Judge Villalobos due to anger over a civil case decision. Earlier that day, he had threatened attorneys and staff at a law firm in Albuquerque, claiming he had a gun and intended violence at the courthouse.
Witnesses reported seeing O’Brien retrieve an ax from his vehicle before leaving for Cibola County. An attorney alerted authorities about the threat, leading to Judge Villalobos being secured by Cibola County Sheriff’s detectives when O’Brien arrived at the courthouse lobby with the ax.
O’Brien has been detained since his arrest prior to trial. More details on his conviction are available here.
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