A Missouri man will spend the next quarter-century in federal prison after plotting to kill the judge and prosecutor who presided over his previous conviction. Michael Buck, 53, a native of Glenallen, was sentenced to 25 years in prison by Chief U.S. District Judge Karen Baker on April 2, 2024.
The sentencing follows a series of violent threats made by Buck while he was an inmate at the Federal Correctional Institution in Forrest City, Arkansas. According to court records, the Missouri man sentenced in Arkansas for threatening federal judge and law enforcement officials had used a contraband phone to track down his intended victims just as he was nearing his scheduled release.
The threats were not random; they were rooted in a grudge dating back nearly two decades. Buck had been sentenced in 2008 for a commercial sex trafficking case in Western Missouri. The targets of his recent threats included the federal judge who handed down that original sentence, the former federal prosecutor who litigated the case, and the family members of both officials.
A Plot Uncovered Behind Bars
The investigation into Buck’s activities began in March 2023, when the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) received information regarding Buck’s intentions. While incarcerated at FCI Forrest City, Buck allegedly coordinated a plan to carry out murders and torture upon his release.
Evidence presented during the proceedings included recordings from the correctional facility. These recordings captured Buck making numerous violent threats and documenting his attempts to use an illegal cellular device to locate the judge and prosecutor. The discovery of these plans prompted immediate action from the U.S. Marshals Service and the Bureau of Prisons to ensure the safety of the targeted individuals and prevent Buck’s release.
Buck eventually pleaded guilty to five federal counts, which included threatening a federal judge, threatening the family of a federal judge, threatening a federal law enforcement officer, threatening the family of a federal law enforcement officer, and making false statements to federal investigators.
Legal Timeline and Sentencing
The legal process against Buck moved swiftly once the threats were verified. The following table outlines the key milestones in the federal government’s case against him:
| Date | Legal Action | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Feb 4, 2023 | Indictment | Federal grand jury issues five-count superseding indictment. |
| April 29, 2023 | Guilty Plea | Buck pleads guilty to all five counts. |
| April 2, 2024 | Sentencing | Sentenced to 25 years in prison and 3 years supervised release. |
Protecting the Judicial Process
The severity of the sentence reflects the court’s stance on threats against the judiciary and law enforcement. In a statement regarding the case, U.S. Attorney William Ross emphasized that the justice system cannot function if those who administer it are targeted for performing their duties.
“Threats to kill public officials and their families for simply doing their jobs will not be tolerated,” said U.S. Attorney Ross. “Here, once law enforcement learned that in addition to the defendant’s grotesque threats to murder and torture family members of the public officials involved in his original commercial sex trafficking conviction, that the defendant had also taken steps to locate his intended victims just as he was about to be released from prison, quick action was taken to prevent his release and to notify everyone involved to take precautionary measures.”
Ross further credited a “brave witness” whose tip alerted authorities to Buck’s plans, allowing the U.S. Department of Justice and its partner agencies to intervene before any physical harm occurred.
In addition to the 25-year prison term, Judge Baker ordered Buck to undergo three years of supervised release following his incarceration. This oversight is intended to provide an extra layer of security for the community and the victims once Buck eventually returns to society.
This case highlights the ongoing challenges within the federal prison system regarding contraband electronics, which can be used to facilitate crimes outside prison walls. The coordination between the FBI, the U.S. Marshals Service, and the Bureau of Prisons was cited as the critical factor in neutralizing the threat.
The court has not scheduled any further hearings for Buck at this time, as the sentencing marks the conclusion of the criminal proceedings for these specific charges. He will now commence serving his additional sentence in a federal facility.
This report is based on federal court records and official statements from the U.S. Attorney’s Office. For those seeking support regarding threats or harassment, the National Center for Victims of Crime provides resources and assistance.
We invite you to share your thoughts on this case in the comments below or share this story with your network.
