Christina Hall

Detroit Free Press

A Washington Township man accused of making bomb and death threats against a Macomb County Circuit Court judge will serve three years of probation after spending nearly a year in the county jail.

Keith Rebar, a former Marine who was denied entry into Veterans Treatment Court and Mental Health Court, was sentenced today, with Judge Joseph Toia saying that part of the probation terms included Rebar getting mental health treatment at the Veterans Affairs hospital. Rebar also is to have no contact with Judge Kathryn Viviano, whom he threatened last year.

Rebar, 56, pleaded no contest to false report or threat of terrorism last month. Viviano was elected in November 2010. Her brother is Michigan Supreme Court Justice David Viviano.

Rebar was accused of making repeated threats to place pressure-cooker bombs under Judge Kathryn Viviano's car and shoot at her if he didn't get his way with child custody issues that might come before her court. He also threatened to break out windows of Sterling Heights police vehicles, authorities previously said.

Sheriff's Lt. John Michalke previously said that there were threats sent in the form of e-mails in July 2015 to staff at the court building. The threats were reiterated when someone came to the sheriff's office to report threats made earlier against the judge.

After his arrest, Rebar told detectives that he had visions of entering an office, lining up people and shooting bullets above their heads, according to a prior news release.

"Threats are not the way to go," Toia told Rebar at his sentencing. "This is not the answer."

"I realize that, your honor," said Rebar, who added that he was in treatment at the VA before "all this started."

Rebar's attorney, Leon Weiss, said his client spent 13 years in the Marines before being honorably discharged. He said at the time of the incident, Rebar was going through child custody issues.

"It can be very emotional. That's what led to his behavior," Weiss said. "It is out of character for him."

Toia gave Rebar credit for 323 days served in the jail and said he is to have no contact with Viviano and to stay 500 feet away from her home and place of employment.

Weiss said he was disappointed that Rebar was denied entry into Veterans Treatment Court because he didn't have drug problems or mental health issues. But Weiss said Rebar previously had been treated for stresses related to the military and divorce.

"He had a really bad day, child custody issues and I think he blew off steam," Weiss said of the threats. "He never would have followed through and brought harm to Judge Viviano."

Contact Christina Hall: chall99@freepress.com. Follow her on Twitter: @challreporter.