Executive Summary
- Shannon Mathre, 33, was indicted for threatening to kill Vice President JD Vance with an M14 automatic gun.
- The U.S. Secret Service arrested Mathre on February 6 following the alleged threats.
- Investigators discovered Mathre was also in possession of child sexual abuse materials.
- Attorney General Pamela Bondi vowed vigorous prosecution of the threats and exploitation charges.
TOLEDO, Ohio — A federal grand jury has indicted a 33-year-old Toledo man on charges of threatening to assassinate Vice President JD Vance, following an investigation that also allegedly uncovered child sexual abuse materials. Shannon Mathre was arrested by the U.S. Secret Service on February 6, according to a press release from the Department of Justice.
The indictment alleges that Mathre made a specific and violent threat against the Vice President. According to court documents, Mathre 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.” Federal agents acted on this information to detain the suspect.
During the investigation into the alleged threats, law enforcement officials discovered additional criminal activity. The Department of Justice reported that between December 31, 2025, and January 21, 2026, Mathre was engaged in the receipt and distribution of sexually explicit images involving minors. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche noted that the arrest addressed two distinct forms of criminal conduct, stating that federal partners worked together to “bring justice twofold to this depraved individual.”
Attorney General Pamela Bondi affirmed the department’s commitment to pursuing such cases. “Our attorneys are vigorously prosecuting this disgusting threat against Vice President Vance,” Bondi said in a statement. “You can hide behind a screen, but you cannot hide from this Department of Justice.”
Legal and Federal Implications
This case illustrates the aggressive posture federal law enforcement agencies maintain regarding threats against executive branch officials, particularly when specific weaponry and intent are articulated. The involvement of the Secret Service highlights the immediate protocol enactments for dignitary protection. Furthermore, the addition of child exploitation charges significantly compounds the potential sentencing severity if a conviction is secured. It is important to note that all individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
