HAVRE, Mont. (NMB) – A 37-year-old Hingham man was arraigned in Hill County District Court on Monday morning based on accusations that he threatened to shoot District Court Judge Kaydee Snipes-Ruiz.
Daniel Alex pleaded not guilty on Monday to the felony charge of Threats and Other Improper Influence in Official and Political Matters before District Court Judge Olivia Rieger.
Court documents allege that Alex made several posts on Facebook in mid-December prior to a custody hearing, including one where he threatened to shoot the Judge.
While being in a 72 hour hold authorized by Havre Probation and Parole, Alex admitted to being behind the Facebook posts.
The state alleges that after Alex bonded out of jail following his initial appearance, he sent someone a text message requesting an AR rifle.
Snipes-Ruiz has recused herself from the case and has told law enforcement she felt intimidated.
Alex has been in the Hill County Detention Center since December 27th, with total bond of over $1.3 million.
In May 2020, Alex was given a three year deferred sentence after pleading guilty to felony criminal mischief. He has been accused of violating the conditions of his probation in numerous ways, including by driving to Los Angeles in October 2021 without permission, consuming meth and marijuana, gambling, and by attempting to purchase an AR-15.
An evidentiary hearing in that case is scheduled for January 19th. Snipes-Ruiz handed down the initial sentence and has since recused herself from that case as well.
