New Hampshire Attorney General Kelly A. Ayotte announces that on September 5, 2008, Michael A. Rezk, (44 years of age) of Concord, New Hampshire, was sentenced to a 10-30 year sentence at the New Hampshire State Prison. A jury found Rezk guilty on one charge of Harm or Threats to Certain Government Officials earlier this summer on July 21, 2008.

Rezk was convicted of multiple counts of receiving stolen property and being a felon in possession of a firearm in 2002. That trial was heard before Judge Kenneth R. McHugh in Rockingham County Superior Court. Judge McHugh ultimately sentenced Rezk to an aggregate term of 13½-27 years at the New Hampshire State Prison. After several attempts to have this sentence vacated, Rezk wrote a motion to Judge McHugh in which he threatened to kill Judge McHugh within 12 days if he didn't vacate Rezk's sentences.

Under New Hampshire RSA 631:4-a, II, a person is guilty of a Class B Felony if he threatens to commit any crime against a member of the judiciary or a member of their immediate family for the purpose of influencing such official's action or in retaliation for action taken as part of an official's government duties. At sentencing, Judge William J. Groff cited Rezk's criminal history, lack of remorse, previous incarcerations for felonies in excess of one year, the seriousness of the crime, and Rezk's post-conviction actions as factors that qualified him for an extended sentencing term under RSA 651:6. Judge Groff ordered that this sentence be consecutive to those Rezk is still currently serving.

Attorney General Kelly A. Ayotte said: "Public officials, in this case a Superior Court Judge, must make important and difficult decisions as they carry out their duties. I believe we should have no tolerance for threats to the personal safety of a judge or his/her family. My office will continue to vigorously prosecute these types of cases and to seek significant sentences for those convicted."