Man gets probation for threatening judge on Facebook

A Milwaukee man who made a Facebook death threat toward a family court judge will spend two years on probation – and faces 2½ years of prison time if he violates conditions of his probation.

“Whether you meant it or not, it was a threat,” Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Jack Dávila told Glenn Patterson Jr., 33, at a July 7 sentencing hearing.

At a two-day jury trial in June, a jury found Patterson guilty of threatening a judge – a felony – for threatening Milwaukee County Circuit Judge William Pocan.

Following a child support contempt hearing on June 4, 2025, in which Patterson appeared visibly agitated with the proceedings, Patterson made a Facebook post stating “it’s all fun and & games … until the judge get found breathless with holes in his face!” and tagged Milwaukee County Circuit Court, according to a criminal complaint.

Minutes later, Patterson made a second post, which included the words “watch out before it be a bang out.”

Investigators determined these words were directed toward Pocan, who was presiding over Patterson’s family court hearing, and alluded to gun violence. Attorneys said Patterson deleted the posts shortly after making them, but the court was notified about them by the petitioner in Patterson’s child support case.

Patterson was arrested the following day. He told investigators he was upset after the hearing but did not intend to follow through on the threats, according to the complaint.

Pocan delivered a victim impact statement at Patterson’s sentencing hearing. He said as a result of the threat, he had to take security precautions at work and home that caused “significant anxiety” for his family and his court staff.

“Mr. Patterson did not just threaten to say mean things about me on Facebook. He threatened to kill me, simply for doing my job as a Milwaukee Circuit Court Judge,” Pocan said.

Both Pocan and Milwaukee County Assistant District Attorney Matthew Westphal said they believed a prison sentence was necessary, pointing out Patterson’s history of being the subject of multiple domestic violence restraining orders and referrals to the district attorney’s office for incidents involving guns and threats.

According to a recent restraining order petition, a woman accused Patterson of choking her and threatening to “shoot up” her house earlier in 2026, during proceedings for the judge threat case. The request was later dismissed.

Pocan and Westphal also referenced recent acts of violence against judges and political officials – including the 2022 murder of retired Juneau County Judge John Roemer, and the 2025 fatal shooting of Minnesota state Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband, by a gunman who had a manifesto naming 11 Wisconsin lawmakers.

Threats like the ones Patterson made are not to be taken lightly, they argued. Westphal went as far as to say that not giving prison time to Patterson could lead to “open season on public officials.”

Dávila acknowledged the severity of the threats, but agreed with Patterson’s defense attorney, Lori Kuehn, that Patterson should not be punished for exercising his right to go to trial. The judge referenced a plea deal offered to Patterson before his trial that involved a recommendation from the prosecution for a probation sentence, rather than prison time.

Dávila also pointed out that a result of his felony conviction, Patterson will never be permitted to own a gun. If he violates conditions of probation, he will be sent to prison for a term of two years and six months of initial confinement, followed by two years and six months of extended supervision.

At Westphal’s request, Dávila ordered Patterson to complete an anger management course and parenting class as part of his probation. Patterson will also have to maintain absolute sobriety, maintain work and schooling, and refrain from contacting or making social media posts about Judge Pocan.

Patterson apologized during the sentencing hearing, saying Pocan “wasn’t meant to hear it” and called his Facebook posts “political hyperbole.”

Dávila told Patterson he hopes the experience going through court has showed Patterson the severe consequences of his actions.

“Everyone’s made dumb decisions. But this crosses a line,” the judge said.