Oklahoma man faces nine felony counts for alleged death threats to John Thune and family

WASHINGTON, DC: A 63-year-old Oklahoma man, David Shuck, has been charged with making alleged death threats against Senate Majority Leader John Thune and members of his family, according to federal court records. 

Shuck appeared in federal court in Tulsa on Thursday, June 4, after a grand jury returned an indictment accusing him of making threatening phone calls to Thune on three separate occasions in March. Prosecutors charged him with nine felony counts connected to the alleged threats. He was later released on a $10,000 bond.

Grand Jury returns nine-count indictment

According to court documents, Shuck is accused of threatening Thune and members of the South Dakota Republican's immediate family during a series of phone calls. Federal prosecutors allege the threats were made as retaliation “on account of the performance of (Thune’s) official duties.”

The indictment does not publicly identify a specific political or personal motive beyond that allegation.

The US Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Oklahoma announced that Shuck faces multiple felony charges related to threatening a member of Congress and family members. While authorities did not initially identify the targeted lawmaker in a public statement, the unsealed indictment indicates the alleged victim was Thune.

Prosecutors did not seek pretrial detention during Shuck’s initial appearance. US Magistrate Judge Mark Steele ordered his release on a $10,000 bond pending further proceedings.

According to Politico, Shuck has currently not been released, and the case is being investigated by the FBI and the US Capitol Police. 

Case linked to Justice Department initiative

The Justice Department said the prosecution falls under an initiative tied to National Security Presidential Memorandum 7 (NSPM-7), an order signed by President Donald Trump in September aimed at combating what the administration describes as domestic violent extremism and organized political violence.

According to the Justice Department, the initiative seeks to protect constitutional rights while targeting individuals engaged in politically motivated violence. The administration has cited threats posed by extremist actors and groups associated with political violence.

Court records indicate Shuck has previous federal convictions. In 2012, he pleaded guilty in the same federal district to charges related to operating a large-scale psychedelic substance cultivation operation. He was sentenced to 18 months in prison.

The case comes amid ongoing concerns over threats directed at elected officials and their families. Last month, federal authorities arrested a Pennsylvania US Senate candidate, Raymond Eugene Chandler III, accused of leaving threatening voicemails targeting Senator John Fetterman, President Donald Trump, and relatives of a federal official.