An Independence man who made threats, including racial slurs, against a Jackson County judge has been sentenced to 11 years in prison.
Michael A. Deblois, 44, was convicted in July of influencing a judicial officer and discriminatory intimidation with the intent to frighten or disturb another person, said Michael Mansur, communications director for the Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office.
Deblois, who is white, was arrested on March 26 for allegedly leaving a series of vulgar voicemail messages for a Jackson County judge that included racial slurs and threats of an “eye for an eye.” Deblois left his full name and phone number in a series of calls he made between March 25 and 26 in which he used the N-word to refer to 16th Circuit Judge Kenneth R. Garrett III, according to previous reporting in the Star.
Over the course of a day, prosecutors alleged that Deblois left more than a dozen racist voicemails. The rambling passages, cited by authorities in charging documents, included a volley of profanities surrounding complaints of “reverse discrimination,” “government corruption” and his “fraudulent homeowners association.” They also mentioned evictions.
“It’s not nice when people draw their own conclusions just outside the court. I don’t do any member of your [expletive] staff that you didn’t do to me first. An eye for an eye, makes you wonder what I’m up to,” Deblois said on a recording.
Judge Garrett rules on the case
On Friday, Garrett gave a statement in court, saying he works hard to follow the rule of law and ensure everyone is treated fairly.
“Without confidence in our system of government, our republic will fail and chaos will ensue,” Garrett said.
According to Garrett, threats against government officials should not be tolerated because they undermine and impede government action.
“This is a sad state of affairs in today’s society for those who are trying to do their job and serve the public. Instead of using the proper channels to challenge the decision of an official, citizens are now bypassing this avenue for relief and threatening them with violence,” he said. “This behavior must stop for the government to function properly, and we as citizens must express our grievances with civility and humility instead of discord and chaos.”
