Lansing, MI - A Detroit man faces criminal charges after threatening a Macomb County judge, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced Thursday, May 26, 2022.
The Department alleges Marion Williams Richardson, 75, threatened to go to the home of Judge Douglas Shepherd, of the 41-A District Court in Shelby Township, and kill him. Richardson conveyed the threat by phone to staff at the court this week.
Given Shepherd serves in Macomb County, the case was referred to the Department of Attorney General.
“I refuse to disregard threats made against elected officials and their families,” said Nessel. “Threatening the safety of a member of the bench is inexcusable and I will not hesitate to use the resources of my office to prosecute such crimes.”
Richardson is now charged with the following in Macomb County 41-A District Court:
- one count of communicating a false threat of terrorism, a 20-year felony.
- one count of malicious use of a telecommunications service, a six-month misdemeanor.
Arraignment is set for 9 a.m. on May 27 at 41-A District Court in Sterling Heights.