Former Waupaca County Assistant District Attorney Benjamin Szilagyi is charged with threatening a judge and another prosecutor. (Photo courtesy Cook County, Ill., Jail)
WAUPACA, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — Former Waupaca County Assistant District Attorney Ben Szilagyi was convicted of four counts related to threats made to a judge, but was then found not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect.
He was committed Wednesday to a state mental health facility for eight months, court records show.
Szilagyi, 44, pleaded guilty to two misdemeanor counts of using a computer message to threaten injury, one count of unlawful telephone use and one count of disorderly conduct. A felony count of threatening a judge was dismissed, court records show.
The plea deal avoids a trial, which had been scheduled for Feb. 10.
Szilagyi is listed as an employee of the State Public Defender’s office staff in Appleton.
According to the criminal complaint, Szilagyi may have been upset about an incident in court.
The text was received at 0858hrs, on July 15th, 2024. The text states “At this point, [VICTIM] I feel it’s fair to let you know that you are on my (expletive) list. If I hear you name again you’re gonna be sorry. Have a nice life. Victim1 felt this was a legitimate threat against him, based on a prior court hearing from July 1st, 2024, where Victim1 called out Benjamin for not being prepared. Benjamin sent a text on July 1st, 2024 at 1527hrs, stating his displeasure,” the complaint states.
Waupaca County had three judges at the time, but the complaint does not identify which he was upset with.
For another count, Szilagyi allegedly shouted and swore at another prosecutor.
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