On Friday, an Ohio man was arrested after allegedly making explicit threats to kill the vice president J.D. Vance during a planned visit to the state.
DOJ Details Alleged Threat Against Vice President
A federal grand jury has returned an indictment Shannon Mather33, of Toledo, Ohio, and accused him of threatening to kill Vance, the Justice Department.
The department alleged the threat was made prior to Vance’s January visit to the Ohio region.
According to the indictment, Mathre allegedly stated that he intended to locate the vice president and kill him with a firearm.
The Justice Department said Mathre threatened to “take the life and cause bodily harm” to the vice president.
Arrest by the Secret Service and appearance in court
Mathre was arrested on Friday by US Secret Service agents, who are responsible for protecting senior US officials.
He made his initial appearance before a U.S. Magistrate Judge in the Northern District of Ohio and remains in custody. A detention hearing is scheduled for Feb. 11, according to the department.
Additional material costs for child sexual abuse
During the investigation into the alleged threat, federal agents said they also discovered multiple files containing child sexual abuse material in Mathre’s possession, leading to separate federal charges.
If convicted, Mathre faces up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine for threatening the vice president. The child sexual abuse charge carries a possible maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and an additional $250,000 fine.
Growing concerns about political violence
The case comes as authorities warn of increasing threats against government officials in an increasingly polarized political climate.
Earlier this week, another person involved in the Jan. 6 Capitol riot pleaded guilty to harassment after being accused of threatening a top Democratic member, Reuters reported.
President Donald Trump survived an assassination attempt at an election rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, in July 2024.
Disclaimer: This content was produced in part using AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga’s editorial staff.
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