Kavanaugh attack suspect now identified as Sophie Roske in new sentencing filings; prosecutors seek 30-year minimum

A man who traveled thousands of miles to target Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh now identifies as a transgender woman, according to newly filed court documents. Nicholas John Roske, 29, of California, pleaded guilty in April to attempting to kill Kavanaugh in 2022. He traveled from Simi Valley, California, to the justice’s Maryland home and was arrested outside the residence while carrying a Glock-17 pistol, two magazine clips, a speed loader, a tactical knife, pepper spray, zip ties, a hammer, screwdriver, nail punch and a crowbar. The case file released in recent weeks shows that Roske now goes by the name Sophie Roske, a change reflected in the court filings, though the case caption remains United States v. Nicholas John Roske.

Defense lawyers have filed a motion seeking permission to submit an oversized sentencing memorandum, citing significant factual and legal matters. They say the balance of the pleading and in-court argument will refer to the defendant as Sophie and use female pronouns, noting that while the legal name in the caption remains Roske’s, the defense has not asked for recaption of the case. The filing underscores a broader effort to adapt to the defendant’s self-identified gender in court documents and proceedings.

Documents reviewed by The Daily Wire describe Sophie Roske as “deeply mentally ill and suicidal” at the time of the 2022 incident. A source familiar with the proceedings said Roske previously used female identities online before the attempted assassination and now formally uses the name reflected in the new filing. Prosecutors and prosecutors’ briefs have framed the matter as a case of political violence targeting a member of the judiciary, emphasizing the threat to public officials and the integrity of the justice system.

Attorney General Pam Biondi described the 2022 attack as an act of “political violence,” carried out by what she called a “disturbed individual,” and said the Department of Justice would pursue severe consequences. “This attempt against the life of a Supreme Court Justice was an attack on the entire judicial system that cannot go unpunished,” Biondi told The Daily Wire. “This Department of Justice condemns political violence and our prosecutors will ensure that this disturbed individual faces severe consequences for his deranged actions.”

In the new filings, DOJ attorneys argued that the court’s sentence must send a strong, unequivocal message that violence and threats against government officials will be met with the harshest punishments. They requested a 30-year minimum sentence, contending that such a punishment appropriately reflects the seriousness of the attempt to harm and intimidate the judiciary and other public officials. The 34-page sentencing memo also described Roske as having planned to target not only Justice Kavanaugh, but potentially two other individuals, according to additional documents obtained by The Washington Times.

The documents describe a meticulously planned, “cold-blooded” plot to kill a sitting justice. They reference online searches for the justice’s home address and multiple Discord discussions about the implications if a Supreme Court justice were killed. Prosecutors quote Roske’s Discord messages from May 2022, including references to the Roe v. Wade decision following the leak of a draft opinion, and posts pondering the consequences of a shift in the Court’s balance. One message reportedly asked, “What do you think would happen if Kavanaugh died?” another tied the hypothetical to political outcomes, according to the sentencing memo cited by CBS News.

Authorities also detail disturbing search queries in Roske’s Google activity, including questions about how much force is needed to stab someone in the neck, the most effective way to silently kill someone, and how to break a lock. Prosecutors said a map saved to Roske’s Google account contained pins marking what are believed to be the homes of four sitting justices, identified only by numbers in the documents. The memo notes that Roske saved links and information that suggested premeditation and a broader intent to threaten the judiciary.

The incident unfolded in the early hours of June 8, 2022, when Roske flew from California to the Washington, D.C., area and arrived at Kavanaugh’s home in Maryland in the middle of the night. He called 911 and told operators he was having suicidal thoughts and that he planned to kill Kavanaugh and then himself because he did not believe he would escape. He was taken into custody at the scene. Investigators said he was carrying a loaded firearm and a toolkit intended to facilitate an entry, and he confessed to authorities that he acted out of anger over a leaked Supreme Court draft opinion perceived to threaten abortion rights.

The arrest and charges in this case have continued to reverberate through discussions of political violence and the safety of public officials. In the latest filings, prosecutors emphasize a sentencing goal that would “send the unequivocal, clear, and strong message that attempted violence and threats of violence against members of the judiciary — as well as other public and federal officials — cannot and will not be tolerated, and will be justly and severely condemned.” They argue that the punishment should reflect the magnitude of the threat posed not only to Justice Kavanaugh but to the broader functioning of the federal government.

The newly provided details also reveal a broader scope of Roske’s alleged intent. Officials said Roske’s plan extended beyond the single target, with potential plans to attack multiple targets and to use social media and other online platforms to coordinate or justify violence ahead of the act. The case has drawn renewed attention to the dangers faced by members of the judiciary amid ongoing political polarization and heated public discourse surrounding Supreme Court decisions.

As the sentencing process proceeds, observers will be watching how the court weighs the defendant’s gender identity, mental health assessments, the extent of premeditation, and the potential for rehabilitation in light of the proposed 30-year minimum sentence. The defense’s request to file an oversized sentencing memo signals continued efforts to present a full accounting of Roske’s experiences and rationale in a way the court may consider in determining a just punishment. The precise timeline for sentencing remains to be set, but the judiciary’s emphasis in filings has been on ensuring accountability for threats and acts of political violence against federal officials.