An Arkansas man has pleaded guilty to threatening to kill a federal judge at a mall

An Arkansas man faces up to 20 years in prison after pleading guilty in federal court to threatening a judge and possessing child pornography.

The incident allegedly stemmed from a rejected Social Security disability claim.

According to investigators, Rodney Dewayne Sheffield, 40, of Barling, became angry after the denial and threatened to shoot an administrative law judge at the Fort Smith Central Mall along with an employee of his attorney who was working in an office nearby.

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A witness reported hearing Sheffield say he “couldn’t take it anymore” before going to the mall.

Police stopped Sheffield shortly after the 911 call and discovered a rifle and ammunition. A search warrant for his phone later revealed images and videos of child pornography.

Sheffield pleaded guilty to one count of threatening a federal official and receiving child pornography.

He faces a maximum sentence of 10 years on the menacing charge and a minimum of 5 years on the child pornography charge. A sentencing date will be set at a later date.

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