Man sent to prison after threats to behead judges

MACOMB COUNTY, Mich. (WJBK) - Walking into court in shackles, 31-year-old Mohammed Alsheleh of Sterling Heights came with an apology.

"I stand before you with the upmost humility," Alsheleh said Thursday.

In Sept. 2016, after a custody battle in the Macomb County courts he wrote a letter threatening to cut the heads off of two judges.

It was a crime that until recently Alsheleh said he was framed for, by his ex-wife. He would later change his plea to 'no contest.'

His admission did little to keep him out of prison. A judge ordered the 31-year-old to spend four to 40 years behind bars despite pleas for the court to go easy on him.

"When released I am going to get myself into out-patient therapy and build a stronger foundation for my son and I," Alsheleh said.

He told the judge that he has struggled with self-control in the past - highlighted by a prior conviction for assault after a road rage incident.

"I just bottled up my thoughts, feelings and emotions," he said.

But he says his family structure is strong and told the judge he was the sole provider for his son before being arrested over a year ago for the threatening letter and plans on staying in his son's life.

"My son is the biggest part of my life," he said.

But the judge said there were other lives impacted as well. The two judges who were threatened, issued victim impact statements.

They weren't read aloud in court however, but the presiding judge reminded him there other victims as well the court was shut down that day they received the letter.