TOLEDO, Ohio — A federal grand jury has indicted a 33-year-old man for allegedly threatening to kill the Vice President of the United States during a visit to Northwest Ohio in January.
Shannon Mathre, of Toledo, is accused of violating Title 18 U.S. Code Section 871(a), which prohibits threats against a successor to the presidency, according to the indictment. He 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.” Mathre was arrested by U.S. Secret Service agents on Feb. 6.
- Shannon Mathre was indicted on charges of threatening the Vice President and possessing child sexual abuse materials.
- The alleged threat involved using an automatic weapon to harm the Vice President during a visit to Ohio.
- Federal agents discovered digital files of child sexual abuse materials while investigating the threat against the Vice President.
- Mathre remains in custody pending a detention hearing on Feb. 11.
Additional Charges Filed
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The grand jury also charged Mathre with possessing and distributing child sexual abuse materials (CSAM) between approximately Dec. 31, 2025, and Jan. 21, 2026, in violation of Title 18 U.S. Code Section 2252(a)(2). The CSAM was discovered during the investigation into the alleged threats against the Vice President, according to the indictment.
Official Responses
Attorney General Pamela Bondi stated, “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.” Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche added, “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.”
U.S. Attorney David M. Toepfer for the Northern District of Ohio emphasized that “hostile and violent threats made against the Vice President, or any other public official, will not be tolerated in our District.” He commended the collaboration between local, state, and federal law enforcement, including the U.S. Secret Service.
Potential Penalties and Next Steps
Mathre faces a maximum of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine if convicted of threatening the Vice President. If found guilty of the CSAM charge, he could face up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. He remains in custody pending a detention hearing scheduled for Feb. 11, officials said.
Why It Matters
This case highlights the increasing challenges faced by law enforcement in addressing threats against public officials in the digital age. The swift response from the U.S. Secret Service and the Department of Justice underscores the seriousness with which such threats are taken, particularly given the additional discovery of disturbing material related to the exploitation of children. The dual nature of the charges – threatening a high-ranking official and possessing CSAM – demonstrates the potential for overlapping criminal activity and the importance of thorough investigations.
Time.news based this report on reporting by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Ohio and added independent analysis and context.
