A 42‑year‑old Longview resident, Bryce Anthony Jackson, has been sentenced to 77 months in state prison after pleading guilty to a string of serious felony charges, including intimidating a judge, threatening to bomb or injure, felony harassment of a criminal justice participant, and custodial assault.

The Cowlitz County Prosecutor’s Office issued a press release on February 9, 2026, stating that Jackson entered his guilty pleas on February 5, 2026. Because the judge he threatened was local, a visiting judge conducted the plea and sentencing proceedings. The State was represented by Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Haley Jaskula. Jackson received a sentence of 77 months in a state correctional facility. This reflects a coordinated accounting of all charges to be served consecutively or concurrently, as stipulated by the court.

Jackson’s criminal conduct spans multiple environments and victims. In September 2025, while at PeaceHealth St. John Medical Center in Longview, he allegedly threatened hospital staff, telling employees he would return and shoot them and making finger‑gun gestures—an incident that temporarily triggered a lockdown. He was subsequently arrested and booked on charges including felony harassment, bomb threat/intimidation to alarm, and interference with a healthcare facility.

While detained at the Cowlitz County Jail, Jackson is accused of assaulting two nurses by throwing urine at them, purportedly saying, “How do you like my pee?” during the incident. That event led to additional charges, including custodial assault.

During a court hearing on those charges, Jackson allegedly made threats against the presiding judge. Due to the nature of that threat, a visiting judge from outside the area was assigned to preside over the plea and sentencing.

The Cowlitz County Jail roster confirms multiple related charges, including contempt of court convictions entered in January 2026, alongside prior charges from September and November 2025, corroborating the timeline and criminal allegations against Jackson.

Why this matters
This case underscores significant concerns for public safety and the security of those working within local institutions, including healthcare providers and judicial officers. The willingness of the criminal justice system to invoke visiting judicial oversight in response to threats against judges highlights a commitment to impartiality and safeguarding judicial processes.

Additionally, the hospital staff and jail nurses involved remain overlooked victims whose safety was violated during events that disrupted essential services. The 77‑month sentence reflects judicial acknowledgement of the severity of targeting both frontline medical staff and the integrity of court operations.

Columbia Countercurrent will continue to monitor developments in related policy responses or protocols that may emerge in the wake of this case—especially regarding courthouse security, healthcare facility protection, and procedures when threats are directed at judges or public servants.

Sources:
Cowlitz County Prosecutor’s Office press release (February 9, 2026): <a href=”https://www.co.cowlitz.wa.us/m/newsflash/Home/Detail/??” target=”_blank”>Bryce Jackson pleads guilty to intimidating a judge, other charges</a>
NBC affiliate reporting on the September 2025 hospital threat: <a href=”https://www.nbcrightnow.com/news/state/police-patient-threatens-to-shoot-longview-hospital-staff” target=”_blank”>Police: Patient threatens to ‘shoot’ Longview hospital staff</a>
NBC affiliate reporting on the jail assault of nurses: <a href=”https://www.nbcrightnow.com/news/state/man-charged-with-threatening-st-john-staff-now-accused-of-assaulting-jail-nurses” target=”_blank”>Man charged with threatening St. John staff, now accused of assaulting jail nurses</a>