An Ohio man has been indicted on federal charges after allegedly threatening to assassinate Vice President JD Vance during a visit to his home state last month, with prosecutors also accusing him of possessing digital files depicting child sexual abuse uncovered during the same investigation.
Shannon Mathre, 33, of Toledo, pleaded not guilty in federal court Friday. His attorney argued that Mathre’s physical and mental health issues make it implausible that he could have acted on the alleged threat.
In addition to the threat charge — which carries a potential sentence of up to five years in prison — Mathre is facing a far more serious count related to the alleged possession of child sexual abuse material. That charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years.
Defense lawyer Neil McElroy said Mathre’s condition was evident during the court appearance and questioned the basis of the threat allegation. “Anyone that spends any time in a room with Mr. Mathre or has any knowledge of his condition — physical condition, mental condition — can see that it’s a farce,” McElroy said. He declined to provide details, but said Mathre has mental disabilities and other health challenges. McElroy said he could not comment on the child sexual abuse material charge, citing a lack of disclosure from prosecutors at this stage.
Federal authorities, however, said the threat was treated as credible. According to investigators, Mathre allegedly stated online that he intended to locate the vice president and kill him using an M14 automatic weapon.
Court records offer limited detail about the alleged threat and the illicit material. The Secret Service said its investigation extended beyond the online statement to examine Mathre’s conduct and behavior. Agents seized his Samsung cellphone on Jan. 21 as part of the probe.
Attorney General Pamela Bondi said the government would aggressively pursue the case. “Our attorneys are vigorously prosecuting this disgusting threat against Vice President Vance,” Bondi said in a statement. “You can hide behind a screen, but you cannot hide from this Department of Justice.”
David M. Toepfer, the U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Ohio, said threats against public officials would not be tolerated. “Hostile and violent threats made against the vice president, or any other public official, will not be tolerated in our district,” he said.
The case comes weeks after a separate incident at Vance’s Ohio residence. Authorities said another man, William D. DeFoor, 26, was arrested Jan. 5 after allegedly breaking windows at the vice president’s home shortly after Vance returned to Washington from a weekend visit. DeFoor was taken into custody as he fled the property.
Vance is currently in Milan, Italy, attending the opening events of the Winter Olympic Games.
Matthew Schierloh, the Secret Service agent in charge of the Toledo office, said political violence would not be tolerated. “The safety and security of those we protect is paramount to everything we do,” Schierloh said, crediting tips from the public and coordinated investigative work for Mathre’s arrest.
Mathre is scheduled to return to court Wednesday for a hearing to determine whether he will remain in custody as the case proceeds.
