A Toledo man was arrested after making a lethal threat against Vice President JD Vance and was found to possess child sexual abuse materials during the investigation, leading to federal charges that carry heavy penalties and underscoring the seriousness with which authorities are treating threats against elected officials.
Federal prosecutors say Shannon Mathre, 33, was taken into custody after allegedly declaring, “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 arrest came as the vice president traveled in Northwest Ohio, and the Department of Justice opened a criminal case that now includes additional, disturbing charges discovered during the probe. Law enforcement emphasizes that threats to public officials are crimes that will be pursued to the fullest extent.
Attorney General Pam Bondi put it bluntly: “You can hide behind a screen, but you cannot hide from this Department of Justice,” a reminder that online bluster can lead to real-world consequences. Bondi also said, “Our attorneys are vigorously prosecuting this disgusting threat against Vice President Vance,” signaling an aggressive posture from federal prosecutors. That tone reflects a Republican emphasis on law and order and the protection of leaders and families from violent intimidation.
The U.S. Secret Service carried out the arrest on Feb. 6 after the threat came to their attention, and a federal grand jury returned an indictment that accuses Mathre of making the death threat. While some details about timing and method of the threat remain under seal, officials note the investigation quickly widened when agents discovered illicit material during forensic searches. The case now combines both the threat charge and separate counts related to the possession and distribution of child sexual abuse materials.
Prosecutors allege Mathre had “multiple digital files of child sexual abuse materials (CSAM)” in his possession, and the grand jury charged that he engaged in receipt and distribution of those files “from about Dec. 31, 2025, to Jan. 21, 2026.” Those are serious federal offenses that carry stiff sentences and mandatory prison terms in many cases. The discovery of CSAM shifted the investigation from a single violent-threat matter to a multi-count federal indictment with broader implications for sentencing.
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche framed the dual nature of the prosecution plainly: “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,” he said. “Thank you to federal, state and local partners in working together to bring justice twofold to this depraved individual.” That cooperation between agencies is exactly the kind of coordinated response needed for complex criminal cases.
U.S. Attorney David Toepfer added that “violent threats” such as the one made against Vance would “not be tolerated,” and he vowed that those responsible will face swift prosecution. As these cases demonstrate, words that cross into actionable threats trigger federal resources and potential prison time. The charges against Mathre, if proven, could result in meaningful sentences designed to deter similar conduct.
Mathre made his initial appearance before a U.S. magistrate on Feb. 6 and remains in custody pending a detention hearing scheduled for Feb. 11. For the threat against the vice president, the statute provides up to five years behind bars and a possible fine, while the CSAM counts carry penalties that can reach up to 20 years in prison and substantial fines. Prosecutors are treating the allegations seriously and are moving through the federal process to seek accountability.
The arrest follows a string of hostile incidents aimed at Vance, including vandalism at his Ohio residence and other online threats that drew Secret Service attention. Authorities previously arrested a suspect in the vandalism case and another individual in connection with threatening comments tied to a visit to a public venue. Those episodes reinforced the need for protective measures and robust investigations whenever threats emerge.
Local institutions and law enforcement alerted federal agencies when posts or threats appeared, and at least one media-affiliated individual stepped away from duties after being linked to online posts mentioning violence. The response shows a low tolerance for violent rhetoric, whether on fringe apps, social media platforms, or in person. Protecting families and officials is a bipartisan imperative, and the legal system is the avenue for addressing these crimes.
“I appreciate everyone’s well wishes about the attack at our home. As far as I can tell, a crazy person tried to break in by hammering the windows. I’m grateful to the secret service and the Cincinnati police for responding quickly. We weren’t even home as we had returned already to D.C.,” Vance
The cases now pending in federal court will proceed on the evidence assembled by investigators, and both the threat and CSAM allegations will be litigated under federal statutes. For Republicans and others who prioritize law and order, the swift arrests and multiagency coordination send a clear message: threatening elected officials and exploiting children will be met with full legal force. The courts will determine guilt and punishment based on the record and the law.
https://x.com/JDVance/status/2008188525162721647
