Ohio Man Indicted for Threatening Vice President, Additional Child Pornography Charges Filed
A federal grand jury has indicted a man from Ohio for making threats against Vice President JD Vance and has also charged him with possession of child pornography, as stated by the Department of Justice (DOJ).
Shannon Mathre, 33, from Toledo, was arrested by U.S. Secret Service agents on Friday. He allegedly threatened to kill Vance during his visit to Northwest Ohio in January.
In the indictment, Mathre reportedly stated, “I’m going to find out where he (the vice president) is going to be and use my M14 automatic gun and kill him.”
Attorney General Pam Bondi emphasized, “Our attorneys are vigorously prosecuting this disgusting threat against Vice President Vance. You can hide behind a screen, but you cannot hide from this Department of Justice.”
U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio, David M. Toepfer, commented on the situation, saying that threats against any public officials will not be tolerated and affirmed the commitment to swift justice in such cases. He acknowledged the collaborative efforts of local, state, and federal law enforcement that led to Mathre’s arrest.
While investigating the threat, the Secret Service discovered materials related to child sexual abuse in Mathre’s possession.
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche remarked, “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 found that he was also in possession of child sexual abuse materials. Thank you to federal, state and local partners in working together to bring justice twofold to this depraved individual.”
If convicted of threatening the vice president, Mathre could face up to five years in prison and a fine of $250,000. On the other hand, if found guilty of possessing and distributing child sexual abuse materials, the penalty could reach 20 years in prison, along with a similar fine of $250,000.
Mathre appeared in court on Friday before a U.S. Magistrate Judge for the Northern District of Ohio and pleaded guilty to both charges. He will remain in custody pending a detention hearing scheduled for Wednesday.
