An Ohio man has been charged with threatening to kill Vice President JD Vance during the vice president’s visit to Northwest Ohio in January, the Department of Justice announced.
Shannon Mathre, 33, of Toledo, is accused of making a violent threat against Vance and is also charged with receiving and distributing child sexual abuse materials that investigators say they found while probing the threat allegation. Mathre was arrested by U.S. Secret Service agents on Friday, pleaded not guilty to both charges, and remains in custody ahead of a detention hearing scheduled for Wednesday.
Why It Matters
The case underscores continuing security risks facing top government officials and reflects the government’s hardline approach to threats against protected individuals. It is also the second security-related incident tied to Vance’s presence in Ohio in recent weeks, following a separate case in which a man allegedly broke windows at the vice president’s home on January 5.
The Alleged Threat and Additional Charges
According to a federal indictment, Mathre allegedly said he planned to locate where the vice president would be and kill him with an “M14 automatic gun.” The threat charge carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.
During the investigation, federal agents say they discovered multiple digital files containing child sexual abuse materials. A grand jury charged that from about December 31, 2025, to January 21, 2026, Mathre received and distributed images depicting minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct.
The Secret Service seized Mathre’s Samsung phone on January 21 as part of the investigation, which reviewed both the alleged online threat and Mathre’s conduct.
Defense Response
Mathre’s attorney, Neil McElroy, challenged the credibility of the threat allegation, pointing to his client’s health conditions. He did not specify the issues but said Mathre has “some mental disabilities and a variety of other conditions” that would have been obvious in court. “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.
McElroy added that he could not comment on the child sexual abuse material charges because prosecutors have not yet provided details at this early stage.
What Officials Are Saying
Attorney General Pamela Bondi said prosecutors are pursuing the case aggressively, warning that online anonymity will not protect people who make threats.
A senior Secret Service official said the agency treats threats against those it protects as a top priority and credited public tips and coordinated investigative work with multiple law enforcement partners for leading to the arrest.
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said investigators uncovered the alleged CSAM offenses while pursuing what he described as a serious threat case, and thanked the federal, state, and local agencies involved.
Northern District of Ohio U.S. Attorney David M. Toepfe said threats against the vice president or other public officials will not be tolerated and promised swift prosecution.
What Happens Next
Mathre appeared before a U.S. magistrate judge in the Northern District of Ohio on Friday. A detention hearing is set for Wednesday to determine whether he will remain in custody while the case moves forward.
If convicted, Mathre could face up to 20 years in prison and a maximum statutory fine of $250,000. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sara Al-Sorghali and Frank H. Spryszak for the Northern District of Ohio.
