Federal authorities arrested Shannon Mathre, 33, of Toledo, Ohio, on Friday after he allegedly issued explicit threats to kill Vice President JD Vance in the lead-up to an official visit to Ohio. Following the arrest, a federal grand jury handed down an indictment detailing charges for threats against a protected government official as well as separate offenses concerning child sexual abuse material.
The U.S. Department of Justice specifies that Mathre threatened to locate and kill Vice President Vance with a firearm prior to Vance's visit to the state in January. According to the indictment, the threats expressed the intent to take the life of the vice president and inflict bodily harm.
The arrest was conducted by the U.S. Secret Service, charged with safeguarding senior government figures including the vice president. Following his capture, Mathre appeared before a magistrate judge in the Northern District of Ohio and is currently in federal custody pending further court proceedings. A detention hearing is scheduled for February 11.
In an expanded investigation stemming from the initial threat case, federal agents discovered multiple files containing child sexual abuse material in Mathre’s possession. This led to additional federal charges carrying separate and potentially more severe penalties.
If convicted on the charge related to threatening the vice president, Mathre faces a maximum penalty of up to five years in prison and fines reaching $250,000. The possession of child sexual abuse material can result in a sentence of up to 20 years imprisonment along with an additional fine up to $250,000.
This case arrives amid heightened national concerns regarding the safety of public officials against politically motivated threats and violence. Authorities continue to monitor and respond to such incidents in a politically polarized environment characterized by escalating tensions.
Recent developments include guilty pleas related to harassment by an individual connected to the January 6 Capitol riot, specifically concerning threats against prominent Democratic lawmakers. Moreover, the political landscape remained volatile following an assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump during a July 2024 rally in Pennsylvania.
The unfolding legal proceedings against Mathre will continue to be observed closely by law enforcement and security agencies charged with protecting elected officials and addressing the spectrum of threats posed by extremists and individuals involved in criminal activities.