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By Adeola Adeosun
Weekend Night Editor
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An Ohio man has been charged with threatening to kill Vice President JD Vance during his visit to Northwest Ohio in January, according to the Department of Justice.
Shannon Mathre, 33, of Toledo, faces additional charges for receiving and distributing child sexual abuse materials discovered during the investigation into the alleged threats. Mathre was arrested by U.S. Secret Service agents on Friday and pleaded not guilty to both charges. He remains in custody pending a detention hearing scheduled for Wednesday.
Newsweek reached out to the Justice Department via online form and the Secret Service via email on Saturday for comment.
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Why It Matters
The case highlights ongoing security concerns for high-ranking government officials and the Secret Service's aggressive prosecution of threats against protected individuals.
The charges come amid heightened tensions around political violence, with officials emphasizing zero tolerance for threats against public servants. This marks the second security incident involving Vance's Ohio presence in recent weeks, following a separate case where a man broke windows at the Vice President's home on January 5.
What To Know
According to the federal indictment, Mathre allegedly stated, "I am going to find out where he (the vice president) is going to be and use my M14 automatic gun and kill him." The threat charge carries a maximum five-year prison sentence and a $250,000 fine.
While investigating the alleged threats, federal agents discovered multiple digital files of child sexual abuse materials in Mathre's possession. The grand jury charged that from approximately December 31, 2025, to January 21, 2026, Mathre was engaged in the receipt and distribution of images depicting minors in sexually explicit conduct.
The Secret Service seized Mathre's Samsung phone on January 21 as part of their investigation, which examined both the online threat and Mathre's actions and behavior.
Mathre's attorney, Neil McElroy, questioned the validity of the threat charge based on his client's health conditions. McElroy declined to elaborate on specific health challenges but indicated Mathre has "some mental disabilities and a variety of other conditions" that would have been apparent to anyone in the courtroom. "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 added that he couldn't comment on the child sexual abuse material charges because prosecutors haven't yet provided details at this early stage of the case.
Vance is currently in Milan, Italy, attending the Winter Olympic Games.
What People Are Saying
Attorney General Pamela Bondi: "Our attorneys are vigorously prosecuting this disgusting threat against Vice President Vance. You can hide behind a screen, but you cannot hide from this Department of Justice."
Resident Agent in Charge of Toledo Ohio Office Matthew Schierloh told Newsweek on Saturday: "The safety and security of those we protect is paramount to everything we do. Thanks to vigilant members of the public and the tenacious work of our special agents, a comprehensive joint investigation was conducted, resulting in the arrest of a defendant for making threats against the Vice President. We are grateful to our law enforcement partners at the FBI, the ATF, the Toledo Police Department, and the Ohio State Highway Patrol for their critical assistance, as well as to federal prosecutors for their guidance and support throughout this investigation. As this matter is now pending before a federal court, any further comment will come from the United States Attorney’s Office."
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche: "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. Thank you to federal, state and local partners in working together to bring justice twofold to this depraved individual."
Northern District of Ohio U.S. Attorney David M. Toepfe : "Hostile and violent threats made against the Vice President, or any other public official, will not be tolerated in our District. Anyone threatening this kind of action will face swift justice and prosecution."
Neil McElroy, Mathre's defense attorney: "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."
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What Happens Next
Mathre appeared before a U.S. Magistrate Judge for the Northern District of Ohio on Friday and is scheduled for a detention hearing on Wednesday to determine whether he will remain in custody as the case proceeds.
If convicted, Mathre's charges carry a potential penalty of 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.
Reporting from the Associated Press contributed to this article.
Update 2/7/26, 3:26 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information.
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