‘I’ll get my revenge one way or the other’ -- Jackson Co. inmate charged with threatening sentencing judge

LANSING, Mich. (WILX) - An inmate within the Michigan Department of Corrections is facing a new felony after he mailed a threatening letter to the Ingham County judge who sentenced him in 2016.

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel said Christopher Shenberger, 42, has been charged with one count of communicating a false threat of terrorism, a 20-year felony.

In September of 2016, Shenberger was sentenced to serve 75-180 months on multiple counts of criminal sexual conduct. The department says Shenberger sent a threatening letter to Ingham County Circuit Court Judge Joyce Draganchuk in December of 2021 related to his inability to be considered for parole as he did not complete the required sex offender program while incarcerated.

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The letter was addressed to the judge using obscenities instead of her full name. It also stated that if Shenberger were to serve his maximum sentence, he would put “everyone’s name on that docket” on a slip of paper and will “go into a jar or whatever and who’s ever name (is picked) up will be killed plain and simple.” The letter continued with Shenberger saying he did not care whose name is picked and “I’ll get my revenge one-way-or-the-other.”

Because Draganchuk serves in Ingham County, the case was referred to the Department of Attorney General.

“We continue to see people cross the line between airing grievances and criminal behavior,” Nessel said. “I refuse to normalize threatening rhetoric and I will continue to vigorously pursue anyone who threatens elected leaders.”

Arraignment on the latest charge has not yet been set.

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