The Justice Department has filed [1] a sentencing memorandum describing in detail the plot by Nicholas “Sophie” Roske to assassinate not only Justice Brett Kavanaugh but as many as three Supreme Court justices, calling the months-long plan a form of terrorism directed against the judiciary.
Prosecutors are requesting a sentence of at least 30 years in prison following Roske’s guilty plea to attempting to assassinate a justice.
The filing, submitted Friday in federal court in Maryland, outlines Roske’s extensive preparation before he traveled to Kavanaugh’s Maryland home in the early morning hours of June 8, 2022.
According to prosecutors, Roske spent months conducting online research, acquiring weapons, and mapping out addresses of Supreme Court justices.
The document cites messages sent by Roske on Discord, including one in which he stated he was “shooting for 3” and noted that “people have killed judges before.”
Investigators also discovered a saved Google map with what Roske believed were the home addresses of four justices.
The Justice Department said Roske left California carrying a Glock 17 handgun, ammunition, a knife, zip ties, a pry bar, tactical gloves, and other equipment.
After arriving at Dulles International Airport, he took a taxi to Kavanaugh’s neighborhood.
When he noticed deputy U.S. marshals stationed outside the justice’s home, Roske walked away, spoke with his sister by phone, and ultimately called 911 before surrendering to local police.
BREAKING: The WANNA-BE ASSASSIN who almost killed Justice Brett Kavanaugh just CAME OUT as TRANS
Nicholas Roske now “IDENTIFIES” as Sophie Roske pic.twitter.com/hWL5ndpO4u [2]
— Jesse Watters (@JesseBWatters) September 20, 2025 [3]
Prosecutors argue that his decision to abandon the plan came only after he encountered visible security at the residence.
Investigators say Roske’s preparations began months before the incident.
They point to online searches such as “most effective way to silently kill someone,” “how to break glass quietly,” and “countries least likely to extradite to the US.”
Prosecutors allege that Roske purchased the handgun and related accessories in late May 2022, practiced at a shooting range, researched potential targets, and tried to delete online accounts and wipe his devices before traveling to Maryland.
The Justice Department described the actions as an attempt to “single-handedly alter the Constitutional order for ideological ends.”
The sentencing memo states that Roske’s conduct qualifies as a “federal crime of terrorism” under U.S. sentencing guidelines, which allows for a terrorism enhancement that places the recommended sentence between 30 years and life imprisonment.
Prosecutors argued that a severe penalty is needed to deter political violence against members of the judiciary, noting a recent rise in threats and harassment directed at federal judges.
The filing states Roske’s plan “strikes at the core” of judicial independence.
Roske’s defense attorneys are asking for a significantly lighter sentence of approximately eight years, citing his mental health issues, lack of prior criminal history, and the fact that he surrendered voluntarily.
Court records indicate Roske now identifies as a woman and goes by the name Sophie, a point the defense has included in explaining personal struggles that surrounded the incident.
The planned attack occurred during the national debate following the leak of a draft opinion in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, the case that ultimately overturned Roe v. Wade weeks later.
Prosecutors said Roske’s anger over abortion and gun rulings motivated the plot and quoted his messages speculating about what might happen if a conservative justice were to die.
The government’s filing emphasized that Roske’s intentions extended well beyond Kavanaugh, citing his preparation and references to targeting multiple justices.
According to prosecutors, the visible presence of U.S. marshals outside Kavanaugh’s home and the intervention of Roske’s sister were the only factors that prevented violence.
The Justice Department concluded its memorandum by urging the court to impose a sentence that would send “a clear and strong message” that violence aimed at influencing judicial decisions will result in the harshest penalties.
Sentencing is scheduled for October 3 before U.S. District Judge Deborah Boardman.
Prosecutors are seeking a minimum of three decades in prison, while the defense is pushing for a single-digit term.
The decision will ultimately rest with the court.