Man Charged With Threatening to Kill US Vice President J.D. Vance
A federal grand jury has indicted a 33‑year‑old man for threatening to kill US Vice President J.D. Vance, the United States Department of Justice announced Friday, in a case that has highlighted ongoing concerns about violent threats against public officials.
The suspect, Shannon Mathre, a resident of Toledo, Ohio, was charged with making explicit threats against the Vice President during a visit to northwest Ohio in January. According to the indictment, Mathre allegedly told investigators he would “find out where he (the vice president) is going to be and use my M14 automatic gun and kill him” — a statement that prompted an immediate investigation by federal authorities.
US Secret Service agents arrested Mathre on February 6, taking him into custody in connection with the threat. The indictment accuses him of violating federal law by threatening to take the life of, and inflict bodily harm upon, a successor to the presidency — a criminal offence under Title 18 of the United States Code.
In the course of the investigation, law enforcement officials also discovered multiple digital files depicting child sexual abuse material in Mathre’s possession, resulting in additional charges related to possession and distribution of illegal material. If convicted on the threat charge, Mathre faces up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. The child abuse materials offence carries a potential sentence of up to 20 years in prison and a similar fine.
Mathre made his initial appearance before a US magistrate judge in the Northern District of Ohio on Friday and remains in federal custody. A detention hearing has been scheduled for February 11 as his case moves through the judicial process.
Attorney General Pamela Bondi said in a statement that threats of violence against the Vice President or any public official “will not be tolerated” and praised coordinated efforts by law enforcement in the arrest and indictment.
The incident has drawn attention to the growing challenge of politically motivated threats and violence in the United States, particularly against high‑profile elected officials. Authorities emphasized the role of federal and local cooperation — involving the Secret Service, FBI, and Ohio state law enforcement — in responding swiftly to credible threats and protecting public safety.
The case continues to develop, with prosecutors expected to proceed with additional legal actions as court hearings progress. The suspect is presumed innocent until proven guilty, and the judicial process will determine the appropriate penalties should he be convicted on all charges.
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