Ex-Google programmer admits threat to kill Chief Justice John Roberts

A Florida man suffering from paranoia and delusions has pleaded guilty to threatening to murder Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts, authorities revealed Monday.

Neal Sidhwaney, 43, of Fernandina Beach, fessed up to one count of transmitting an interstate threat to kill in a voicemail he left for Roberts on July 31, court documents show.

The Justice Department did not specify which member of the high court Sidhwaney threatened, but a psychologist’s report from September named Roberts as the target.

“Yeah hi, my name is Neal Sidhwaney, uh, this message is for [Roberts]…. I will f—king kill you … Go f—king tell the Deputy US Marshals you f—ing p—y,” the perp said, per court documents.

“I will f—king talk to them and then I’ll f—ing come kill you anyways, you f—ing c—.”

Sidhwaney was arrested Aug. 18 and now faces up to five years in prison.

Chief Justice John Roberts has overseen the high court since 2005. Getty Images

The September evaluation by Dr. Alan J. Harris concluded that Sidhwaney was fit to stand trial, but noted he suffers from “delusional disorder with psychosis” and has received treatment with an antipsychotic drug.

“According to his parents he believes a private agency has been following him. However, his paranoia began in 2017 when he left Google,” Harris wrote in his report, noting that Sidhwaney had worked as a programmer at the search giant for eight years.

“According to his mother he becomes enraged watching the news which triggers him to write letters and emails or to make phone calls.”

The Supreme Court has been thrust into a number of recent high-profile political battles over recent years. Getty Images

The psychologist went on to report that Sidhwaney “has expressed the belief that Google planted a chip in his head and foot” and only left his parents’ home to get coffee.

“Sleep is disturbed as he will stay up to [3] a.m. and then sleep late,” Harris added.

Security concerns around the justices have been elevated following the decision last year to overturn Roe v. Wade.

Security concerns about justices on the Supreme Court have been elevated over recent years. Getty Images

In June 2022, authorities charged Nicholas Roske, a California man, with plotting to kill Justice Brett Kavanaugh after arresting Roske outside the justice’s Maryland home.

That same month, President Biden signed legislation extending security protection to justices’ families.