Hogsett announces guilty plea of federal inmate following death threats, anthrax hoax

According to a release from the Indiana Dept. of Justice, Joseph H. Hogsett, the United States Attorney, announced today that Michael F. Disch, age 43, has agreed to enter a plea of guilty to the charges of mailing threatening communications. This follows an extensive investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation— Joint Terrorism Task Force.

“This office made a commitment last year to do all within our power to ensure the safety of all those who work in or around the federal prison system,” Hogsett said. “In addition, hoax cases such as this one also highlight the importance of remaining ever-vigilant of the very real threat that terrorism poses in this day and age.”

Documents filed with the court indicate that in July 2009, Disch mailed a threatening letter to the Honorable Senior Judge Larry J. McKinney, a federal judge in Terre Haute. The letter contained what was later determined to be an inert white powdery substance with instructions to, “Smell this and Die.” Disch wrote that he would pay a person to find out where Judge McKinney lived and would have him and members of his family killed.

On Tuesday, Disch has been sentenced to 9 years and 2 months in federal prison.