CAMBRIA COUNTY, Pa. (WJAC) — Authorities in Cambria County say a Colorado woman is behind bars after she reportedly threatened a local magistrate, as well as her former employer, hundreds of times over a period of several weeks.
Jackson Township police say the investigation began in mid-March after they learned that a woman, later identified as 46-year-old Sarah Byrne, had been repeatedly harassing staff members at the office of Magisterial District Judge Mary Ann Zanghi.
According to the affidavit, police say the staff told officers that Byrne allegedly yelled profanities and derogatory remarks at them.
Police say a few days later, officers were contacted again after Byrne reportedly called the judge's office approximately 100 times in one day.
Authorities say Byrne continued to call the office and harass the staff.
Police say between March 25th and 26th, Byrne allegedly called the judge's office nearly 250 times.
Investigators say the harassing phone calls then reportedly escalated and became "more threatening."
Police say on April 2nd, Byrne reportedly called the judge's office 220 times and made several threatening statements.
I'm going to shove needles in the judge's eyes and [expletive] her up," Byrne reportedly stated.During one of the calls, police say Byrne also allegedly threatened both the staff members and their families, stating "I hope your kids get raped."
Some of the other threatening statements included the following:
- "I'll cut your limbs off and shove them up your [expletive]."
- "I'm going to shove a missile up your [expletive]."
- "I know where the judge lives."
Upon further investigation, police learned that the phone calls reportedly started after Byrne allegedly learned that her hearing date at the judge's office had been rescheduled due to a staffing issue.
Police say Byrne used multiple phone numbers to contact the judge's office, and reportedly made over 1,200 calls from March 13th to April 13th.
According to online court records, Byrne is facing a variety of charges, including retaliation against a judicial official, making terroristic threats and harassment.
According to West Hills Police, Byrne is also facing charges in a separate case for allegedly harassing her former employer.
Police say in early April, Byrne repeatedly made numerous phone calls to Froelich's Packing Company in Lower Yoder Township.
According to the affidavit, police say Byrne made repeated statements about coming to the business and "harming employees."
Authorities say Byrne also made references to an alleged sexual misconduct incident at the business and stated that "because of how the incident was handled, she was going to 'get them all.'"
Police say during some of the calls, Byrne also made reference to multiple local magistrates, including Judge Zanghi.
Upon further investigation, police learned that Byrne had recently been arrested in Maryland and was a previous resident of Cambria County.
According to online court records, she was arraigned to the Cambria County Prison on Friday and her bail was denied.
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