CONCORD, N.H. (AP) – A man who pleaded guilty to mailing a threatening message to a state judge was sentenced Friday to four months in prison and three years of supervised release during which he can’t live in New Hampshire.

Jeffrey Phillips of Plaistow admitted in November that he wrote a message on the outside of an envelope that contained a threat to shoot New Hampshire District Court Judge Peter Hurd in the head with a gun. It also indicated his desire that the threat be communicated to the Plaistow Police Department.

Sometime before the threat was made, Hurd was assigned to oversee a petition for divorce that was filed in Brentwood Family Court by Phillips’ wife.

“One of our country’s greatest freedoms is the right to have claims and grievances addressed and resolved through our judicial system,” U.S. Attorney Thomas Colantuono said in a statement. “When an individual attempts to coerce that system through threats of personal harm, he attacks the very fabric of the constitutional system of government. Such actions must and will be prosecuted by this office.”

In addition to his four months in prison, Phillips is prohibited from living in New Hampshire during his supervised release period. He is only allowed to travel to the state with the express permission of the probation office obtained in advance of the travel.