UNITED STATES of America, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. Ronald FULBRIGHT, Defendant-Appellant

This appeal deals with a dangerous intersection in a free society, one at which the expression of discontent or disagreement with the actions of government can collide with legitimate efforts to deal with actions intended to threaten or impede federal officials in the carrying out of their duties.

Defendant-appellant Ronald Fulbright (“Fulbright”) is a Montana farmer who experienced some financial reverses. When his creditors sought foreclosure, he sought bankruptcy protection. When these efforts failed, Fulbright mailed a series of documents to United States Bankruptcy Judge John Peterson. Among the documents mailed by Fulbright was a “Notice and Demand for Declaration of Judge’s Impartiality” and a “Citizens’ Arrest Warrant for Citizens’ Arrest.” The notice “charged” Judge Peterson with numerous “crimes,” including sedition, high treason, bank fraud, and armed robbery. The “warrant” purportedly authorized peace officers to somehow arrest Judge Peterson. After receiving these documents, Judge Peterson recused himself from further participation in Fulbright’s bankruptcy matters. When the cases were re-assigned to another judge, Fulbright mailed a “warrant” to that judge as…