Macon Man to Serve 17 Year Sentence After Threatening Circuit Judge, Children’s Division Worker

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Rodney Brown

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – On January 30, 2024, Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey announced that his office obtained a 17-year sentence against Rodney Brown in Macon County, in connection to his convictions for threatening Circuit Judge Rick Tucker and threatening a children’s division worker.

“As Attorney General, I will prosecute criminals who threaten Missouri residents,” said Attorney General Bailey. “My office is committed to obtaining justice for victims, especially those who are fighting for Missourians every day. I am proud of the work we did in partnership with Macon County to do just that.”

The jury deliberated for less than an hour last year before finding Brown guilty. At trial, the Attorney General’s Office (AGO) presented evidence that Brown told others that Judge Tucker would “be met at the courthouse door with a bullet to his forehead” if he ruled against Brown’s family in a dispute over a child. The AGO also presented evidence that, after a hearing, Brown approached a children’s division employee and threatened to “slit [her] throat.”

The Children’s Division Worker described that she testified at trial in order to protect herself and her fellow caseworkers, who are constantly targeted while working to “protect the ones who are too little to have a voice.” The AGO also presented testimony from the Macon County Sheriff about an incident where Brown indicated he and others would build a gallows on the courthouse lawn to “hang traitors.”

Judge Thomas Redington sentenced Brown to a total of 17 years in prison.

The AGO has also charged Brown for allegedly threatening Judge Tucker in Shelby County in another incident. Judge Redington will set that case for trial. Attorney General Bailey reminds the public that the Shelby County charges against Brown are allegations and, as in all criminal cases, the defendant is presumed innocent unless or until proven guilty in a court of law.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant Attorneys General Gregory M. Goodwin and Jeff Suddy, along with Victim Advocate Melissa Koetting and Investigator Carl Schwartz. The Macon County Sheriff’s Department investigated the case.