Federal prosecutors have charged Robert Phillip Ivers, 72, with threatening to assault and murder a federal judge. Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson announced the complaint Tuesday, noting Ivers’s prior federal conviction for threatening to kill a judge.
“At a time when Minnesota is reeling from acts of violence, the last thing we need is someone spreading fear into our churches, libraries, and courts,” Thompson said. “Ivers’s threats are bone chilling. After the past few months, we are not taking chances. When someone threatens our community, we believe them, and we will act swiftly to protect Minnesotans.”
Image courtesy Sherburne County Jail.
Wayzata Library Incident
According to the complaint, on September 3 law enforcement responded to the Wayzata Library after staff reported that Ivers was seen copying and distributing a manifesto titled “How to Kill a Federal Judge.” He allegedly showed pages of the writings to staff, including disturbing passages about children and a sketch of a gun, and handed out flyers promoting the manifesto.
The flyer warned it was “designed to teach extremists on how to plan, train, hunt, stalk and kill anyone including judges, their family members, politicians and more.” It added: “the harsh reality is that judges are going to die.”
Church Concerns in Minnetonka
Days earlier, on August 28, Ivers had drawn concern at an Episcopal church in Minnetonka, where he attended services and spoke of plans to be present at upcoming events including a family picnic and a blessing of children. After learning of his criminal history, church staff alerted law enforcement.
Arrest and Re-Arrest
On the evening of September 3, the Wayzata Police Department located and arrested Ivers. During transport, he claimed to be suffering a heart attack and was transferred to a hospital before being released later that night.
Following additional investigation, the Wayzata Police Department re-arrested Ivers on September 5. In an interview, he admitted showing his manifesto to library staff. When asked if he thought the book would have scared anyone, Ivers shouted: “It was supposed to!”
Evidence Collected
According to the press release, a search of Ivers’s vehicle uncovered:
- Twenty spiral-bound copies of “How to Kill a Federal Judge”
- Flyers promoting the book
- Lists of federal judges
- A copy of the Anarchist Cookbook
- A photo of the former Pope with crosshairs drawn on his head
- A toy replica firearm with CO₂ cartridges and pellets
- A box of fireworks
An online search of public records lists Ivers’s residence in Hopkins.
History of Threats
The 236-page manifesto allegedly details Ivers’s grievances against the judicial system, with handwritten threats to kill judges, their families, and even pets. He named specific judges, including one he was previously convicted of threatening in 2019 (United States v. Robert Ivers, 18 CR 90).
According to a press release issued by the U.S. Attorney’s Office on March 1, 2019, Ivers was convicted by a federal jury of threatening to murder a federal judge and transmitting threats in interstate commerce. He was sentenced to 18 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release (DOJ source).
He has faced similar charges before, including the 2018 arrest reported by the Star Tribune. Today’s press release again confirms Ivers’s 2019 conviction for threatening to kill a federal judge.
InForum of Fargo-Moorhead also reported on Ivers being charged “again” with threatening to kill a U.S. official, underscoring a repeated pattern of threats against judges and public officials (InForum report).
Local Response
The Wayzata Police Department played a central role in this case. Officers responded promptly to the Wayzata Library call on September 3, located Ivers, and took him into custody. After his release from the hospital, they continued investigating and moved quickly to re-arrest him on September 5 when more evidence came to light.
That persistence ensured the federal complaint could be brought forward. The case file from the U.S. Attorney’s Office specifically credits the Wayzata Police Department alongside the FBI, the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, and the U.S. Marshals Service for their investigative efforts.
Wayzata Mayor Andrew Mullin acknowledged the seriousness of the case while deferring media questions to federal authorities. “We are aware of the situation and at this time, all public inquiries will be handled by the United States Attorney General’s Office and the FBI for media usamn.pressoffice@usdoj.gov for the public fbi (763) 569-8000 or the DOJ US Attorney (612) 664-5600,” Mullin said.
Federal Case Moving Forward
Ivers is scheduled for an initial appearance in federal court this afternoon. Prosecutors will request that he be detained pending trial.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Melinda A. Williams and is the result of an investigation by the FBI, the Wayzata Police Department, the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, and the U.S. Marshals Service, with assistance from the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office.
A criminal complaint is only an allegation. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
