DETROIT – A man faces charges for allegedly sending more than 400 emails to government entities threatening to kill a federal judge.

Threatening emails

James Nelson Holloway II, 33, is charged with committing federal crimes after threatening to kill a federal judge.

On October 22, 2024, the email accounts of the United States Attorney’s Office for Civil Rights and the Government Accountability Office received a series of emails after law enforcement executed search warrants in Holloway.

Civil Rights Email received more than 400 emails from two email accounts. The FBI believes Holloway controlled both email accounts and was the author of the messages.

The threatening emails included messages such as: “But judges can’t be killed? Says who? The founding of this country killed hundreds of corrupt judges” and “Yes, I will kill (a federal magistrate judge) in court.” »

The FBI believes Holloway wrote the messages as emails from both accounts began with “This is James Holloway and USA Supercenters Corporation.”

Why Law Enforcement Executed Search Warrants

The FBI has been investigating Holloway since September 2024 for a possible violation of federal firearms law.

On September 27, 2024, the FBI received an anonymous tip that Holloway had purchased more than $3,000 worth of tactical items on Amazon. The items included the following:

• Gun accessories such as rifle mounts and scopes

• Tactical vest

• Night vision optics

• Knife case

• Several large wheeled bags

• Helmet light

• Go-Pro camera

• Knee/elbow pads

The items were delivered to a Staples in Brighton. According to the informant, a password was necessary to retrieve the items.

Holloway collected the packages the same day the FBI received the information. They were able to identify Holloway through security footage as he entered and exited the store with a cart full of packages.

The FBI agent who submitted the affidavit confirmed that the man in the security footage was Holloway, as they spoke to him in person for an extended period of time at a parking lot where Holloway’s registered car frequently parked. The interaction was captured by law enforcement on a body-worn camera.

During Holloway’s interaction with law enforcement, he was standing behind his car, holding what appeared to be a tactical vest. Several other dark-colored objects were inside the car.

Police asked Holloway, who was convicted of a federal gun charge in 2019, if he knew he couldn’t have guns on him since he was a felon. He told police it “wasn’t the law” and “it wasn’t true” that convicted felons were not allowed to have firearms. He continued to say it was his right to own firearms under the “supreme law.”

Following the interaction with Holloway, police followed him as he drove through Livonia, Northville and Novi. Police said he drove about 10 mph below the posted speed limit, made several U-turns, then immediately entered and exited various closed businesses without exiting his car. Police said their actions were consistent with counter-surveillance.

On October 1, 2024, just after midnight, Holloway was seen approaching the front door of his parents’ home. He tried to cover the camera lens with chewing gum, rang the doorbell and called “Mr.” Holloway. The owners were only aware of what was happening after viewing these images the next morning.

Holloway’s parents told police they hadn’t spoken to him in years.

Holloway was seen on the doorbell camera wearing a balaclava, face mask and gloves. Law enforcement said that while it was difficult to identify the person in the images, the items they were wearing matched items Holloway purchased on Amazon.

On October 18, 2024, police executed federal search warrants as part of this investigation into Holloway. He lived in two hotels in Warren and had no permanent residence.

Police searched Holloway, the second hotel room, his car and his trailer. They found firearm paraphernalia during the search, but no firearms. Holloway was provided with copies of the search warrants and receipts for the items seized after completing the search. The search warrants were signed by two U.S. magistrate judges in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan – one of the judges Holloway had threatened to kill.

Conviction 2019

The FBI learned early in the investigation that Holloway had been convicted of carrying a concealed weapon in 2019.

According to police reports, Holloway’s mother called 911 and said he was angry with her and accused her of being part of a group that was out to come after him. She told police that Holloway was going to kill her and tell her the truth. The mother also said Holloway kicked her in the stomach. He continued to complain about killing people and went upstairs. Holloway came back downstairs and was holding something his mother thought was a gun in his hands. Holloway then went outside and fired a gun into the backyard of the family’s home.

Holloway’s brother told police he came into her room and threw a roll of duct tape at her, saying they might need it. Holloway left the room and that’s when the mother said he had a gun.

Holloway was seen running in a nearby area, wearing an all-black outfit, and police arrested him.

Holloway’s father told police that one of his handguns had gone missing a month before the incident.

Holloway was convicted of carrying a concealed weapon in January 2021.