Ohio man indicted for allegedly threatening to kill Vice President Vance

WASHINGTON, DC: Federal prosecutors say an Ohio man made explicit threats against Vice President JD Vance ahead of the Republican leader’s visit to the state last month, prompting a swift response from the Secret Service and the Justice Department.

The case, unsealed Friday, February 6, has since expanded beyond initial threats, with investigators uncovering additional allegations that prosecutors describe as deeply troubling.

Alleged threat detailed in court filings

The accused, 33-year-old Shannon Mathre, was indicted by a federal grand jury on charges related to threatening a presidential successor.

Authorities say Mathre did not merely express hostility online but outlined a specific plan involving a firearm and the vice president’s travel schedule.

Authorities allege Mathre said he intended “to find out where the vice president is going to be and use M14 automatic gun and kill him.”

Mathre was arrested by US Secret Service agents on Friday and appeared in court the same day, where a judge ordered him to remain in custody. A detention hearing is scheduled for February 11.

If convicted, the charge carries a possible sentence of up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

During the investigation, federal agents say they uncovered additional criminal activity unrelated to the alleged plot.  

Prosecutors allege Mathre received and distributed child se**al abuse material over several weeks between late December 2025 and January 2026.

Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said the discovery heightened the severity of the case.

“While arresting this man for allegedly threatening to murder the Vice President of the United States, a serious crime in and of itself, federal law enforcement discovered that he was also in possession of child sexual abuse materials,” Blanche said.

Prosecutors draw a hard line on political threats

Justice Department officials said the indictment is part of a broader effort to deter threats against national leaders, emphasizing that violent rhetoric aimed at elected officials will be treated as a serious federal crime.

“Hostile and violent threats made against the Vice President, or any other public official, will not be tolerated in our District,” said US Attorney David M. Toepfer of the Northern District of Ohio.

He added that authorities acted swiftly once the threat was identified: “Anyone threatening this kind of action will face swift justice and prosecution.”

He also praised intragency cooperation: “We commend the actions of our local and state law enforcement who collaborated with US Secret Service to take this individual into custody.”

Vice President JD Vance (C), speaks alongside President Donald Trump as Trump in the East Room of the White House on November 6, 2025, in Washington, DC (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

Bondi issues warning over online anonymity

Attorney General Pam Bondi condemned the alleged threat in blunt terms, signaling that the administration intends to pursue similar cases aggressively, particularly those involving online statements.

Calling the alleged conduct “disgusting,” Bondi warned that anonymity does not protect from prosecution.

“You can hide behind a screen, but you cannot hide from this Department of Justice,” she said.

The indictment comes amid heightened scrutiny of security surrounding the vice president.

Just weeks earlier, authorities charged a Kentucky man with attempting to break into Vance’s home while vandalizing a Secret Service vehicle. 

Officials confirmed Vance and his family were not present at the time.