Ohio man charged over threat to kill JD Vance
A federal grand jury returned an indictment charging a man who threatened to kill U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance during a visit to the Ohio area in January.
Shannon Mathre, 33, of Toledo, Ohio, is accused of taking Vance’s life and threatening to cause him bodily harm, the Justice Department said Friday.
According to the indictment cited by the Ministry of Justice, Mathre allegedly said, “I will find out where he (the vice president) will be and use my M14 automatic weapon and kill him.”
Mathre was arrested Friday by U.S. Secret Service agents. A representative for Mathre could not immediately be reached.
Experts have raised alarm in recent years about political violence and threats of violence in a polarized United States. Earlier this week, the insurrectionist, who was pardoned by President Donald Trump on January 6, 2021, pleaded guilty to harassment charges after being accused of threatening to kill U.S. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries.
While investigating the alleged threats, federal agents discovered multiple files of child sexual abuse material in Mathre’s possession, the Justice Department said.
Mathre made his first appearance before a U.S. Magistrate Judge for the Northern District of Ohio on Friday and will remain in custody until a detention hearing scheduled for Feb. 11, the Justice Department said.
Mathre faces a maximum prison sentence of five years if convicted.
