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A federal grand jury has returned an indictment against a 33-year-old Ohio man accused of threatening to kill U.S. Vice President JD Vance during the vice president’s visit to the Ohio region in January, according to the U.S. Justice Department. The case underscores growing concerns about political violence in the United States amid heightened polarization.
The defendant, Shannon Mathre of Toledo, Ohio, is charged with making threats to take the life of and inflict bodily harm upon Vice President Vance. Federal prosecutors allege that Mathre explicitly stated his intent to locate the vice president during the visit and carry out the threat using a firearm. The alleged statement was cited directly in the indictment released by the Justice Department.
Mathre was arrested on Friday by agents of the U.S. Secret Service, the federal agency responsible for protecting top government officials. A representative for Mathre could not be immediately reached for comment following the arrest. He made his initial appearance before a U.S. Magistrate Judge in the Northern District of Ohio and remains in federal custody pending a detention hearing scheduled for February 11.
During the investigation into the alleged threats, federal agents reported discovering multiple files of child sexual abuse materials in Mathre’s possession. As a result, he faces additional serious federal charges beyond the threat case. Prosecutors noted that the discovery significantly escalated the legal consequences he may face.
If convicted of threatening the life of the vice president, Mathre faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a statutory fine of up to $250,000. The child sexual abuse materials charge carries a far more severe potential penalty, with a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and an additional possible fine of $250,000.
The indictment comes amid renewed scrutiny of threats against public officials. Experts and law enforcement officials have warned that political violence and intimidation have increased in recent years. Earlier this week, a January 6, 2021 rioter who was pardoned by former President Donald Trump pleaded guilty to a harassment charge after allegedly threatening to kill U.S. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, highlighting the broader national concern over escalating threats to political leaders.
