Tri-Cities man accused of threatening to kill judge, officer and his family

A 40-year-old Kennewick man allegedly threatened in an Instagram post to kill a judge and a police officer.

Investigators began looking into Herbert C. Girton after a witness called police about a comment he made to “an extremist antifa” post.

In the post, Girton allegedly said he was “already watching a house of a judge that I’m gonna to kill and then I’m watching the house of the cop that arrested me and assaulted me. I’m gonna kill him and his wife and his kids,” court documents said.

The post continued that he was going to “make news for killing people” who touched him and took him away “from my life and happiness,” court documents said.

The witness told police he knew Girton liked to “post stupid stuff online,” but he felt like he should say something to authorities.

The detective said in court documents that he believed the threat could be linked to Girton’s most recent arrest for obstruction, driving with a suspended license and operating a vehicle without an ignition interlock, court documents said.

His most recent court case stemmed from a July 21 speeding incident.

A Kennewick officer spotted Girton on a motorcycle with no license plate speeding at more than 20 mph over the limit. When the officer signaled for him to pull over, Girton kept weaving between lanes and speeding up and slowing down.

The officer stopped chasing him near the intersection of Steptoe Street and Center Parkway. Girton was arrested later that day at his girlfriend’s apartment on Gage Boulevard.

The Kennewick officer, who has a wife and two children under 3, said he was afraid of what Girton could do and how he knew about his family, court documents said.

“... (He) was fearful whether they were under surveillance by Girton,” court documents said.

Two Benton County District Court judges — John Ziobro and Dan Kathren — had previously presided over hearings with Girton.

The detective learned the mother of Girton’s child had previously babysat for Kathren, court documents said. It’s unclear how long ago that was.

Investigators were watching his girlfriend’s Gage Boulevard apartment when Girton allegedly pointed a “finger gun” at detectives and walked back inside.

Officers surrounded the building on Tuesday, Jan. 27, and Girton surrendered.

He was booked into the Benton County jail on one count of felony harassment. Bail is set at $250,000.

This story was originally published January 30, 2026 at 5:40 PM.