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A Utah woman was ordered held in custody on Tuesday on a charge of threatening a federal judge.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Evelyn Furse ruled that Joan Osborn, 57, Salt Lake City, be held in jail while her case is pending.

Osborn has a long history of mental illness and of threatening judges and Furse ruled that she poses a threat to the community. Osborn was indicted last week for allegedly making a threatening phone call to the offices of U.S. District Judge Tena Campbell. Osborn did not have a case pending before Campbell or any judge in federal court, according to testimony.

Michael Fica, an assistant U.S. attorney for Idaho who is prosecuting the case, asked that Osborn be sent for a mental evaluation by the U.S. Bureau of Prisons before the case proceeds.

Fica played a recording of a voice mail that Osborn allegedly left in Campbell's office on Oct. 16. In it, she makes a number of disjointed, rambling remarks that included threats of graphic sexual violence and talk of employing a hitman and shooting Campbell in the head.

"I have no love," Osborn said. "I have to mercy on you."

Osborn faces up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 if convicted.

In 2002, Osborn was charged with a third-degree felony for allegedly threatening 3rd District Judge Stephen Henriod. Testimony on Tuesday indicated that she may have gone to Henriod's house at some point.

In that and in other cases involving threats, Osborn was judged mentally incompetent to stand trial and she was never convicted, according to testimony.

Similarly, three counts of first-degree felony aggravated robbery filed in August 2002 were dismissed due to Osborn's civil commitment, according to court records.