Man facing terrorism charge after threatening judge, SLCo. justice employees

SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — A man in Salt Lake County Jail is facing terrorism charges after he sent an email threatening physical violence on a judge and numerous county employees after being muted during virtual court proceedings.

Shawn Calvin Somerville, 33, has been indicted for a threat of terrorism — intimidate/coerce/or influencing government officials after he threatened several members of Salt Lake County government, including Judge Shauna Graves-Robertson and members of the Salt Lake County Sheriff's and District Attorney's offices.

According to the probable cause statement, during court proceedings last week, Somerville became upset that he got muted on Webex.

Documents said Somerville then sent an email to Judge Graves-Robertson and members of the Salt Lake County Sheriff's and District Attorney's offices. The email included direct threats to several people, including Graves-Robertson.

"I swear to God there's not a place on this ... earth u can ... hide [sic]," Somerville reportedly said in an email to numerous county employees within the justice department.

Somerville also reportedly said Graves and other county employees and officials would "wish and beg" for death. He reportedly sent the emails on a few different dates, with charging documents saying the messages were sent on Nov. 6 and Nov. 8.

Authorities charged him while he was already booked into the Salt Lake County Jail on prior charges.

Charges are allegations only. All arrested persons are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

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