A federal grand jury indicted a 33-year-old Ohio man on Friday for allegedly threatening to kill Vice President JD Vance with an automatic weapon, the Justice Department announced. The indictment comes amid a broader national conversation regarding rising political violence and threats against public officials.
Shannon Mathre, of Toledo, Ohio, is accused of stating, “I am going to find out where he (the vice president) is going to be and use my M14 automatic gun and kill him,” according to the indictment. The alleged threat was made around .
The indictment further alleges that Mathre was also engaged in the receipt and distribution of child sexual abuse materials. This secondary charge carries a potentially significant penalty, raising the stakes of the case beyond the initial threat against the Vice President.
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche stated on X, formerly known as Twitter, “While arresting this man for allegedly threatening to murder the Vice President of the United States, a serious crime in and of itself, federal law enforcement discovered that he was also in possession of child sexual abuse materials.”
Attorney General Pamela Bondi echoed this sentiment, stating, “Our attorneys are vigorously prosecuting this disgusting threat against Vice President Vance.”
Neil S. McElroy, representing Mathre, has characterized the charge of threatening Vance’s life as “a farce.” In a statement to CNN, McElroy suggested the charge may be politically motivated, stating, “While the charge against Mr. Mathre may buttress the administration’s narrative regarding threats of violence aimed at members of the administration, this particular charge — as it relates to Mr. Mathre and his conduct — is a farce.” He further indicated he could not comment on the allegations regarding child sexual abuse materials, as the government had not yet provided associated documentation.
The U.S. Secret Service, leading the investigation, stated that their inquiry encompassed not only Mathre’s online statements and communications but also his actions and behavior. According to a statement provided to CNN, the agency has been “following this for several months with our partners at the FBI and in Ohio.”
Secret Service spokesperson Anthony Guglielmi emphasized the seriousness of the situation, stating, “As a society, we must remain united in our zero tolerance for political violence. This individual will now answer for his actions to a federal court.”
Mathre faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a fine of $250,000 if convicted of threatening to kill Vice President Vance. The charge related to the possession of child sexual abuse materials carries a potential sentence of up to 20 years in prison and a fine of $250,000.
Mathre remains in custody and is scheduled for a detention hearing on , according to the Justice Department.
The charges against Mathre are part of a disturbing trend of threats and violence directed towards political figures. Just last month, authorities detained an individual for causing property damage, including breaking windows, at Vance’s home in Cincinnati. This incident, along with others, highlights the increasing challenges of ensuring the safety of public officials.
Earlier this week, authorities arrested a man for attempted murder after allegedly targeting Russ Vought, Director of the Office of Management and Budget, at his home. In December, the Justice Department charged a man with sending a threatening text message to Richard Grenell, the presidential envoy and Kennedy Center President. These incidents underscore a growing climate of political polarization and potential for violence.
The recent surge in threats and acts of violence against public officials has reignited the debate over how best to protect those in positions of power. , Minnesota state Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband were fatally shot at their home. In , conservative activist Charlie Kirk was assassinated at an event at Utah Valley University. These tragedies have prompted renewed calls for increased security measures and a more robust response to political extremism.
The investigation into Mathre’s alleged threats and possession of illicit materials is ongoing. The case serves as a stark reminder of the potential for real-world violence stemming from online rhetoric and the complex challenges facing law enforcement in an increasingly polarized political landscape.
