Former Laguna Niguel Resident Sentenced to More Than 7 Years in Federal Prison for Threatening to Kill Judge Who Presided Over His Family Law Case

SANTA ANA, California - A former Orange County resident was sentenced today to 87 months in federal prison for threatening to kill a superior court judge who had presided over his family law case.

Byrom Zuniga Sanchez, 34, formerly of Laguna Niguel, but whose most recent residence was in Mexico, was sentenced by United States District Judge Fred W. Slaughter, who also ordered him to pay $22,790 in restitution.

At the conclusion of a three-day trial, a jury in December 2025 found Sanchez guilty of two counts of threats by interstate and foreign communication. Sanchez has been in federal custody since February 2024.

From May 2023 to July 2023, Sanchez sent multiple death threats via email to the victim judge. Sanchez also threatened to kill or harm others, including other court employees, lawyers, and law enforcement officials.

For example, in July 2023, Sanchez emailed the victim judge's former courtroom, "I am more committed to murdering you than I am to being present as a father."

In the same email, Sanchez also wrote, "You're already dead. The remainder of my life will be dedicated to assassinating judges, attorneys, and a police station's entire shift staff."

These communications were sent via interstate commerce, and Sanchez claimed he was in Mexico when he sent the threatening messages. Sanchez was arrested in San Diego in February 2024 after attempting to enter the United States.

"[Sanchez's] terrifying embrace of his offenses - his delight at the pain of others - and his total lack of remorse increases the already substantial need for specific deterrence," prosecutors argued in a sentencing memorandum.

The FBI investigated this matter.

Assistant United States Attorneys Alexandra Sloan Kelly of the Transnational Organized Crime Section and Diane B. Roldán of the Major Crimes Section prosecuted this case.