News Summary
Latonia Smith, a Las Vegas resident, has been convicted of cyberstalking after making death threats against two federal judges and her probation officer. This follows her previous conviction for sending threats related to her mother’s job termination. Smith’s actions, which included disturbing online searches and threatening communications, raised significant safety concerns among legal officials. She faces a maximum penalty of 15 years for the three counts of cyberstalking.
Las Vegas – Latonia Smith, a 31-year-old resident of Las Vegas, has been convicted of cyberstalking after threatening two federal judges and her probation officer. This conviction follows a previous legal case where she was found guilty of sending death threats to lawyers involved in her mother’s firing from Planet Hollywood.
Smith’s latest conviction stems from her actions between September 30, 2018, and October 1, 2019, during which she sent anonymous letters that contained threats of violence directed at her mother’s former supervisors and attorneys. These threats were connected to her mother’s termination in 2017, which occurred due to allegations of theft from a guest’s room. Smith was arrested on November 1, 2019, and subsequently charged with five counts of sending threatening communications through the U.S. Mail. A jury convicted her on these counts in April 2021, resulting in a 36-month sentence in federal prison.
Upon her release, Smith was confronted with additional legal troubles stemming from an alleged armed home invasion on October 31, 2019. This incident involved a lawyer associated with the Planet Hollywood case. After being granted bail in June 2022, Smith’s behavior escalated as she began searching the internet for personal information about Judge Richard Boulware, Judge Jennifer Dorsey, and Dorsey’s probation officer. Searches included alarming phrases such as “judges die,” “how to become a bomb maker,” and “how to be a mass shooter.”
Her actions included sending a disturbing email to her probation officer. In this communication, Smith shared a link to a YouTube video depicting the Las Vegas mass shooting along with a threatening message. Witnesses in the case testified that they perceived Smith as a serious risk, with one stating a strong need to protect their family due to her threats. Judge Dorsey recounted that after an email from Smith referencing her home, she felt compelled to sell her property and move for safety reasons.
In response to Smith’s threats, U.S. District Judge Gloria Navarro notified the U.S. Marshals, who contacted the FBI to undertake a detailed investigation. On June 27, 2022, the FBI interviewed Smith and subsequently arrested her that same day. On June 24, 2025, a federal jury found her guilty on three counts of cyberstalking; each charge carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison. While the trial was overseen by Senior District Court Judge Michael W. Mosman, the prosecution was conducted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys from the Southern District of California following a recusal by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Nevada.
As legal proceedings continue, sentencing for Smith’s most recent conviction has not yet been scheduled. The case has raised significant concerns regarding safety and the implications of cyberstalking for those involved in the legal process.
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Las Vegas Resident Convicted of Cyberstalking Judges
Additional Resources
- News 3 LV
- Wikipedia: Cyberstalking
- KTNV
- Google Search: Cyberstalking Law
- Gold Rush Cam
- Google Scholar: Cyberstalking Case
- Express News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Threats Against Judges
- News 3 LV
- Google News: Latonia Smith
Author: STAFF HERE LAS VEGAS WRITER
LAS VEGAS STAFF WRITER The LAS VEGAS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERELasVegas.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Las Vegas, Clark County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Electric Daisy Carnival, World Series of Poker, and Consumer Electronics Show. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce and Three Square Food Bank, plus leading businesses in hospitality and entertainment that power the local economy such as MGM Resorts International, Caesars Entertainment, and Las Vegas Sands. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Nevada's dynamic landscape.
