U.S. News
Ohio Man Faces Grave Charges After Secret Service Probe
Clear Facts
- A federal grand jury indicted Shannon Mathre, 33, of Toledo, for allegedly threatening to assassinate Vice President JD Vance and possessing child sexual abuse material.
- Federal agents discovered multiple digital files containing illegal content while investigating threats against the Vice President during his trip to Northwest Ohio.
- Mathre pleaded not guilty to both charges and remains in custody with possible sentences of up to 20 years in prison.
Federal agents arrested Shannon Mathre after uncovering a double threat: an alleged assassination plot against Vice President JD Vance and possession of child sexual abuse material. The Department of Justice stated that Mathre threatened to use an “M14 automatic gun” to kill Vance during his January visit.
During the investigation, authorities found disturbing images of minors in sexually explicit conduct. The grand jury indicted Mathre for distributing and receiving this material between December 2025 and January 2026.
“Our attorneys are vigorously prosecuting this disgusting threat against Vice President Vance,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi.
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche emphasized the seriousness of the case.
“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,” Blanche said.
Mathre made the alleged threat just before Vance delivered remarks in Toledo with Republican leaders. He has denied both charges and remains in custody awaiting a detention hearing.
Mathre could face up to five years in prison for the threat and as much as 20 years for the possession charge if convicted.
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