Racine Man Who Targeted Wisconsin Chief Justice Sentenced to Probation in Plea Deal
The sentence follows a plea to two misdemeanors with the felony stalking charge dismissed.
Overview
- Ryan Thornton, 37, pleaded guilty to intimidating a victim and disorderly conduct as prosecutors dropped a felony stalking count.
- Judge Ann Peacock imposed two years of probation that includes at least 30 days of GPS monitoring and a ban on entering Dane County without prior approval.
- Thornton was ordered to have no contact with Chief Justice Jill Karofsky and to undergo a psychological evaluation with any recommended treatment.
- Prosecutors said Thornton sent emails telling Karofsky to “eject” herself from office, asked for her home address, and called the Office of Lawyer Regulation more than 70 times.
- Court records tie his actions to anger over a rejected complaint about his former attorney, and he will receive 82 days of jail credit if probation is revoked.