the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Hackensack NJ, a chilling trend has emerged in the federal judiciary: anonymous pizza deliveries sent to judges’ homes, including those of their children—using the name of slain Daniel Anderl, the late son of U.S. District Judge Esther Salas.
Judge Salas, the presiding judge on the Bergen County Democratic leader Joseph Ferriero case whose son was murdered in a targeted attack in 2020, revealed in interviews with MSNBC and ABC News this week that over 10 judges have reported receiving unexpected pizza deliveries using Daniel’s name. These anonymous orders are part of what Salas called a growing pattern of intimidation and harassment directed at members of the judiciary.
“People are trying to weaponize my son and his legacy to send out threats,” said Judge Salas.
A Tragic Backstory: The Murder of Daniel Anderl
In July 2020, Judge Salas’s son, Daniel Anderl, was fatally shot by an armed assailant disguised as a delivery driver. The attacker, Roy Den Hollander, was a self-proclaimed anti-feminist lawyer who had a pending case before Salas. He also injured her husband, Mark Anderl, before taking his own life.
Since that tragedy, Salas has become a leading advocate for judicial security and spearheaded Daniel’s Law, which protects the personal information of judges, prosecutors, and law enforcement officers in New Jersey from public disclosure.
“I Know Where You Live”: Judges Face Escalating Threats
According to Salas, the pizza deliveries are meant to send a clear, disturbing message: “I know where you live.”
“It’s not about the pizza,” she told MSNBC. “It’s about the signal. It’s intimidation.”
These delivery threats aren’t limited to Salas or her colleagues in New Jersey. Judges in Washington, D.C., including Michelle J. Childs and James Boasberg, have also reported similar harassment. Even Justice Amy Coney Barrett’s relatives reportedly received unwanted deliveries in March.
A Growing Threat to Judicial Independence
Statistics from the U.S. Marshals Service show that threats and inappropriate communications targeting judges have more than tripled over the last decade. Chief Justice John Roberts addressed these concerns in his 2024 Year-End Report, stating that violence and intimidation “threaten judicial independence.”
Judge Richard Sullivan, chair of the Judicial Conference Committee on Judicial Security, emphasized that the rise of social media and the dark web has made threats more dangerous and sophisticated.
Political Rhetoric and Its Consequences
Judge Salas warned that escalating political rhetoric—on both sides of the aisle—has fueled public hostility against the judiciary.
From President Trump’s labeling of judges as “radical lunatics” to Senator Chuck Schumer’s 2020 remarks warning justices “would pay the price,” Salas said such comments give cover to those wishing to intimidate or harm members of the bench.
“We need leaders to stand up for justice,” Salas said. “This is not about politics—this is about protecting our democracy.”
Daniel’s Law Faces Legal Challenges
While Daniel’s Law has been praised for improving security, recent amendments have sparked debate.
The Third Circuit Court of Appeals began reviewing the law’s constitutionality on April 14, amid concerns from businesses and data platforms about compliance. Former Bergen County Prosecutor John Molinelli argued that the 2023 amendments made the law overly broad and difficult to enforce.
In response, New Jersey police unions have pushed back, accusing critics of siding with data brokers over public safety.
“They could care less about the lives of judges, prosecutors, and law enforcement,” said PBA President Peter Andreyev.
A Call for Unity and Action
Despite the threats, Judge Salas remains resolute.
“The judiciary will continue to do our jobs,” she said. “But we need support—real support—from lawmakers, law enforcement, and the public.”
As the threat landscape evolves, so must the protections. For now, the judiciary stands strong—but increasingly under siege.
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