A man has been arrested under suspicion of threatening to kill Vice President J.D. Vance, as well as possessing child sexual abuse materials, according to the Department of Justice.
Shannon Masreh, 33, from Toledo, Ohio, was taken into custody last Friday while allegedly threatening Vance during the Vice President’s visit to northwest Ohio in January. Law enforcement reported that Masreh allegedly expressed intentions to locate Vance and attack him with an M14 automatic weapon. However, the specific details of when and how the threats were made weren’t disclosed. Attorney General Pam Bondi remarked, “You can hide behind a screen, but you cannot hide from this Department of Justice,” hinting that the threat may have originated online.
“Our attorneys are vigorously prosecuting this heinous threat against Vice President Vance,” Bondi added.
The U.S. Secret Service arrested Masreh on February 6, after which a federal grand jury indicted him for the threats against Vance.
During the investigation, federal agents discovered “multiple digital files of child sexual abuse material” in Masreh’s possession. The grand jury subsequently added charges for engaging in the receipt and distribution of this material between late December 2025 and January 21, 2026.
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche emphasized the serious nature of the case, noting the dual concerns of threats to national figures and the possession of illicit materials. “We thank our federal, state, and local partners for working together to bring double justice to this depraved individual,” he said.
David Toepfer, the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio, condemned such violent threats, asserting that those responsible will face prompt legal action.
Masreh is scheduled to make his first appearance before a federal judge, remaining in custody until a detention hearing set for February 11. If found guilty of threatening Vance, he could face a prison sentence of up to five years and a fine that could reach $250,000. Additionally, if convicted for the child sexual abuse material charges, that sentence could extend to 20 years.
In related news, Vance has faced multiple threats; his home in Ohio was vandalized last month, leading to the arrest of William DeFoor for various charges, including criminal damage. Vance remarked on the incident, acknowledging the quick response from law enforcement, as he and his family were not present at the time.
Separately, during a visit to Disneyland, a young man from Anaheim was detained for allegedly threatening Vance through social media, referencing violence against “corrupt politicians.”
As these incidents unfold, it highlights ongoing concerns regarding threats to public officials and the broader social implications that accompany such behaviors.
