Man accused of using fake Chief Justice Roberts signature to get own criminal case dismissed
A man has been federally charged after allegedly using a forged signature of US Chief Justice John Roberts and a counterfeit Supreme Court seal to try to have his own criminal case in Indiana dismissed. The case highlights alleged attempts to exploit the authority of federal institutions and intimidate local officials through false claims of official power.
Joshua M. Culver, also alleged to have used the alias “Maverick A. Young”, was arrested in Colorado after an Indiana grand jury returned four impersonation counts and one forgery-related count. Prosecutors say he filed the fake dismissal order in September 2025, then allegedly posed as an NSA agent, a Supreme Court “Special Master” and an intelligence official in separate efforts to obtain personal information, influence court matters and threaten arrests.
In short
- Man charged over alleged forged Supreme Court dismissal order
- Prosecutors allege repeated impersonation of federal officials
- He was arrested in Colorado after an Indiana indictment
Explained simply
The US Supreme Court is the country’s highest court, and its Chief Justice, John Roberts, leads it. A Supreme Court order can affect cases in lower courts, including state courts, but it must be issued through the court’s proper procedures.
In Indiana, criminal cases are handled by state courts, while federal prosecutors investigate and bring charges for alleged offences against federal law. Claims to hold federal office or authority can matter because local officials and members of the public may rely on the authenticity of documents and official identities.