Texas Woman Missing After Threatening Judge Tanya Chutkan

Talk about a dramatic turn of events! A Texas woman, Abigail Jo Shry, who was facing prison time for making deeply disturbing threats against a federal judge, has vanished. Instead of reporting to begin her 27-month sentence, Shry is now a fugitive, and authorities have issued a warrant for her arrest.

The Disturbing Voicemail

The case centers around a chilling voicemail Shry left in August 2023 for U.S. District Judge Tanya S. Chutkan. Judge Chutkan was presiding over a federal election interference case involving Donald Trump. In the message, Shry unleashed a torrent of racist slurs and violent threats, including, “If Trump doesn’t get elected in 2024, we’re coming to kill you. So tread lightly, b***h.”

The threats didn’t stop there. Shry also ominously stated, “You will be targeted personally, publicly, your family, all of it,” and “You are in our sights, we want to kill you.” Investigators were able to trace the call back to Shry’s cellphone in the Houston area within days.

A Pattern of Threats

While Shry admitted to making the threats, she claimed she had no intention of acting on them and argued her words were protected by the First Amendment. However, prosecutors presented evidence of a broader pattern of concerning behavior.

Shry had also reportedly threatened members of Congress and Texas lawmakers. Furthermore, she allegedly referenced an “armed attack” on the state Capitol, linked to the impeachment of Ken Paxton. Her father described her as a “non-violent alcoholic” who would often make agitated calls after drinking and watching the news.

The Sentence and Disappearance

Despite her defense, the court found her guilty. In November 2024, Shry pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 27 months in prison. She was scheduled to surrender to authorities at a Tallahassee prison on February 19th to begin serving her time.

But Shry never showed up. Now, instead of facing justice behind bars, she is on the run. The judge has officially signed off on a warrant for her arrest, and federal authorities are actively searching for her. This situation highlights the serious consequences of making threats against public officials.