I was working as a law clerk to Hon. Frank P. Geraci, Jr. when he sentenced Emanual Lutchman, a man who pleaded guilty to conspiracy to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization. He was accused of an ISIS-inspired plot to kill Rochester bar patrons with a machete on New Year’s Eve in 2015.
During the sentencing proceeding, Lutchman denounced the terrorist groups and appeared remorseful. Once Judge Geraci handed down a 20-year sentence, Lutchman’s tone quickly changed, and he became increasingly agitated.
Lutchman began shouting in Arabic and threatening future terroristic harm. As the U.S. Marshals dragged him from the courtroom, he yelled, “F*** you!” to Judge Geraci. Judge Geraci, with complete calmness and without missing a beat, responded “Motion denied.”
