Man charged with harassing judge
A man who allegedly called his presiding judge a “Nazi” has been charged with harassment and obstruction.
Butler Township Police on Sunday arrested Daniel C. Jones, 62, of Emlenton, on three misdemeanor charges, two counts of harassment and one count of obstruction.
Jones was arraigned Sunday night by District Judge Sue Haggerty, following which he was placed in Butler County Prison on $75,000 bond.
According to charging documents, police began investigating following an incident Thursday in and around the Butler County Court of Common Pleas.
During a Thursday sentencing proceeding, Judge Timothy F. McCune issued a continuance in Jones' case, allowing him another week to schedule a pre-sentencing drug and alcohol assessment and a court reporting network evaluation.
Jones was found guilty in a non-jury trial in July on charges of DUI and disorderly conduct, related to an incident in September 2018.
During the proceeding, McCune asked if Jones was the person who parked his pickup truck outside the courthouse on Wednesday and Thursday with a sign saying, “McCune is Nazi Vermin.”
Jones confirmed that it was him and told McCune he sent letters to all of the judge's neighbors, but he noted that his actions were not intended to be threats.
According to charging documents, police received a call regarding the incident Saturday, and they began investigating.
Police said they confirmed with McCune that a letter was sent to his home, and they spoke with at least four neighbors who also received nearly identical letters.
McCune's letter had a Nazi symbol in place of his first name.
In the letter, Jones accused McCune of accepting “perjured testimony” from the state trooper who arrested him. Jones also accuses the trooper of falsifying information.
Jones then used multiple racial and ethnic slurs to illustrate his claim of being discriminated against.
“Yes, I accuse McCune of being Nazi vermin on the day of my sentencing, and I will be presenting him a copy of this letter before he commits his next crimes against me,” Jones wrote. “Ultimately, his crimes are against you, and the society that you live in, too.”
State police opened McCune's letter at the station.
“The letters sent are a clear demonstration of Jones' intent to harass, interfere, obstruct, impede and influence Judge McCune prior to fulfilling his duty to sentence Jones for the DUI case he is presiding over,” police said.
A preliminary hearing in the case has been scheduled for Sept. 30 before District Judge Kevin O'Donnell.
