BOBBY SALAS CONVICTED FOR THREATS TO A JUDGE AND A WITNESS

MADISON - Bobby Salas, 26, an inmate at the Green Bay Correctional Institution, was convicted on December 11, 2007, in Menomonie, Wisconsin, for making threats to kill a judge and a witness, in violation of Wisconsin Statutes sections of 940.203 and 940.201.

In 2002, Salas was convicted in Pierce County of sexual assault and aggravated battery. Salas later wrote a letter threatening the lives of the judge who presided at his Pierce County trial, and the lead investigator who testified against him at that trial.

On December 11, 2007, the day before his jury trial was scheduled to begin, Salas entered pleas to both charges filed by the state and was found guilty by Dunn County Circuit Court Judge Rod W. Smeltzer.  Judge Smeltzer ordered the Department of Corrections to prepare a pre-sentence investigation report.

Under Wisconsin law, Salas faces a maximum prison term of 6 years for each offense. Under the provisions of Truth-In-Sentencing, Salas may be sentenced to a maximum term of initial confinement in prison of 3 years for each offense, with the balance of the sentence to be served on extended supervision. Violation of the conditions of extended supervision may result in revocation of extended supervision and a return to prison.

"Threats to judges and witnesses are not only against individuals, they are attacks on the criminal justice system," Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen said.  "Attorneys at my office will continue to work with law enforcement and state prosecutors to ensure these attacks do not go unpunished."

The sentencing hearing is scheduled for April 11, 2008.

Assistant Attorney General Gary A. Freyberg, acting as special prosecutor for Dunn County prosecuted the case for the state.