Abigail Jo Shry, one of the January 6 rioters, is facing continued legal troubles despite receiving a pardon from President Donald Trump for her involvement in the Capitol attack. Shry, who is set to be sentenced on May 5, 2025, is still dealing with charges related to threatening a federal judge and a U.S. representative in a series of racist and violent messages.
In 2023, Shry, 44, pleaded guilty to sending a threatening message in interstate commerce, which violated federal law. This charge stems from an incident on August 5, 2023, when Shry left a voicemail for U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan, who was overseeing the case of former President Trump related to the January 6 attack. Shry’s message contained racist slurs and explicit threats. In her message, Shry threatened not only Judge Chutkan but also all Democrats in Washington, D.C., and the LGBTQ community, as well as Democratic U.S. Representative Sheila Jackson Lee, who passed away earlier that year.
Shry’s voicemail included statements like, “You are in our sights, we want to kill you,” and “If Trump doesn’t get elected in 2024, we are coming to kill you, so tread lightly, b .” She also made threats against the judge’s family, saying they would be “targeted personally, publicly, your family, all of it.”
Federal investigators quickly traced the call to Shry’s home in Alvin, Texas, after she used her cellphone. Shry admitted to making the threatening call but claimed she never intended to follow through on her threats. She stated that her remarks were protected by the First Amendment, though this defense was rejected by the court. Shry’s actions are seen as part of a larger pattern of behavior, as she has been involved in multiple previous incidents of similar conduct, including prior arrests for criminal mischief, resisting arrest, and interfering with public duties.
Shry’s prior legal history includes several violations of probation, parole, and supervised release. She was convicted in September 2022 for two misdemeanor offenses and sentenced to 30 days in jail. In July 2023, she was again charged with a misdemeanor for making threats that caused fear of serious bodily harm. These charges came while Shry was on bond for her previous offenses, highlighting a continued pattern of trouble with the law.
According to court records, Shry has a history of major depression and substance abuse. Her father testified that she has a drinking problem and spends much of her time sitting at home, watching the news while drinking alcohol. He noted that when she becomes agitated by the news, she tends to make threatening phone calls. He further claimed that she rarely leaves her home and would not act on her threats.
Shry’s legal troubles underscore the growing concern over the aftermath of the January 6 insurrection, with some rioters, despite their pardons, continuing to engage in violent rhetoric and threats. While many individuals involved in the Capitol riot have been granted clemency, Shry’s case shows that some individuals are still being held accountable for their actions, particularly when it involves direct threats to public officials. The outcome of her sentencing will likely serve as a significant example of the justice system’s approach to those who continue to engage in violent rhetoric, even after the events surrounding January 6.
