DIVORCE COURT ON HIGH ALERT: Man reportedly said he would arrest...

HN PHOTOS: The above snapshots show the scene yesterday shortly after 10:30 in the morning when state police detectives took a man into custody who had just reportedly arrived at the steps of the Barnstable County Probate Court…

BARNSTABLE – The Barnstable County Probate Court was on high alert yesterday morning – Monday, February 7, 2022 – after a man going through the divorce process reportedly called saying he was coming to arrest a probate judge.

“I’m [coming] down to arrest the judge… You guys be prepared, be ready, cuz I’ll be coming down to arrest her, I’m going to get an arrest warrant from the Federal Courthouse in Boston, she’s all frigin done. You guys better be prepared, I’m coming to arrest that fucking judge, I’m gonna shackle her up and take her out,” the suspect reportedly said yesterday on an audio recording reportedly filed in Barnstable District Court.

A report filed yesterday by a Massachusetts State Police Detective continues, “Due to the seriousness of the threats against two judges, [the suspect’s] mental health state during this period of time […], I contacted 1st DA Trudeau, who advised to arrest [the suspect] on intimidation of a witness and threat to commit a crime.

The incident reportedly began back on November 30th of 2021, when state police detectives were notified of threats being made against Judge Susan Tierney of the Barnstable County Family and Probate Court. The suspect had been going through a divorce in front of Judge Tierney via ZOOM conferencing. Judge Tierney reportedly denied the suspect’s motions for continuance, and this reportedly upset him.

In another 2021 recording filed in Barnstable District Court, the suspect described being upset with Judge Tierney, allegedly threatening to, “Drag her up [ ] to the court by her god damn hair, that bitch, ya know, for violating my due process. Who is she? I want her yanked…”

In yet another 2021 recording, the suspect reportedly apologizes for “being so angry” earlier… further explaining that he is in fear of losing everything he had worked for…

According to the three-page detailed state police report, it became clear to detectives that the suspect appeared extremely stressed, with emotions ranging from calm and apologetic, to upset and fearful.

But later, on February 3, 2022, it was the suspect’s alleged angry statements that alarmed detectives the most. The situation escalated even further when the suspect’s very own divorce attorney reportedly began expressing concerns to police. According to the state police report, the attorney felt it was his ethical duty to report that the suspect had allegedly made additional threats he “would cut up the Judge if he doesn’t get the decision he wants and take her to Boston…”

The situation apparently had escalated, and so did the investigation.

By this time, the suspect’s divorce case had reportedly been transferred from Judge Susan Tierney to Judge Angela M. Ordoñez of the same Barnstable County Family and Probate Court. Both judges were contacted by the Chief of the Threat Management Unit of the Massachusetts Trial Courts and were sent a “threat protection guide.” Several local police departments were also made aware of the situation.

An email was also reportedly sent to the judicial secretary for Judge Ordoñez, regarding the suspects’ attorney’s concern relating to statements made by his client of potential future acts, mainly when he allegedly stated he would “Tie up Judge Ordoñez; Cut Judge Ordoñez up; and Bring Judge Ordoñez to the federal building in Boston.”

Fast forward to yesterday – February 7th, 2022 – when Barnstable Police Officers were notified about the possibility of the suspect driving to the court complex after allegedly making threats to “arrest Judges.” As you will hear in the following HN Video, an alert Barnstable Police K9 officer working a road detail noticed that the suspect had just drove past him, traveling in the direction of the Barnstable Probate Court.

[HN VIDEO – PRESS PLAY]

So… at around 10:30 a.m. yesterday morning – February 7th, 2022 – state police detectives armed with body cameras met with Barnstable Police and Court Officers who had intercepted the suspect at the steps to the Barnstable Probate Court.

After reportedly being cooperative, according to one policeman’s radio transmission, the suspect was eventually handcuffed without incident and transported to the state police barracks in Yarmouth for booking. He was charged with Intimidation of a Witness/Juror/Police/Court Official and Threatening to Commit a Crime.

The suspect was arraigned later yesterday in Barnstable District Court. He was ordered to stay away from the probate court… He was also ordered to undergo a mental health evaluation… A pretrial hearing was scheduled for this coming March.

* All suspects are presumed to be innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

HN NOTE: Because this has the potential to be an extremely volatile situation involving members of the judiciary, HN decided it needed some coverage, but also decided to withhold the suspect’s image and identity for the time being out of concern for the family caught up in divorce proceedings.

Also, courthouse security during these modern times has been an ongoing issue that HN has been worried about and has covered in the past. CLICK HERE to read an earlier editorial regarding HN’s ongoing concerns regarding security at the Barnstable Court Complex. In short, it is still HN’s firm, ongoing contention that everyone needs to be fully screened at all court entrances all day long (including all lawyers and court personnel). I touch upon some reasons for what I call “the need for real security,” instead of the current “security theater,” in the following HN write-up. CLICK HERE.

P.S. – Today’s Hytown Vignette is a brought to you by The Doors… [CLICK IT/CRANK IT!]