Federal authorities have arrested and charged a Toledo, Ohio man with making death threats against Vice President JD Vance and possessing child sexual abuse materials, in a case that has drawn national attention and underscored concerns over political violence in the United States. The suspect, 33-year-old Shannon Mathre, was apprehended by U.S. Secret Service agents on February 6, 2026, following a federal grand jury indictment that detailed the gravity of the accusations against him.
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, Mathre stands accused of threatening to kill Vice President Vance on January 21, 2026, just one day before Vance visited northwest Ohio to deliver remarks alongside other prominent Republican figures, including Senator Jon Husted and Ohio gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy. The indictment alleges that Mathre declared, “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 precise medium through which Mathre made this threat has not been disclosed by federal authorities.
Vice President Vance’s visit to Toledo on January 22 was reportedly uneventful in terms of security incidents, but the threat loomed large over the event. The swift response by law enforcement agencies, including the Secret Service, local police, and federal investigators, led to Mathre’s arrest less than three weeks later. The Department of Justice has made clear its intent to pursue the charges vigorously. As 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.”
David M. Toepfer, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio, echoed the seriousness with which authorities are treating the case. “Hostile and violent threats made against the Vice President, or any other public official, will not be tolerated in our District,” Toepfer said. “Anyone threatening this kind of action will face swift justice and prosecution. We commend the actions of our local and state law enforcement who collaborated with U.S. Secret Service to take this individual into custody.”
Mathre’s legal troubles intensified as the investigation into the threat unfolded. While probing the alleged plot against Vice President Vance, federal agents discovered that between December 31, 2025, and January 21, 2026, Mathre was in possession of multiple files of child sexual abuse materials. The Department of Justice’s statement was unequivocal in its condemnation. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche remarked, “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.”
The charges against Mathre are severe and carry significant potential penalties. For the threat against the Vice President, Mathre faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a statutory fine of up to $250,000. The charge related to possession and distribution of child sexual abuse materials is even graver, carrying a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, according to the Justice Department.
Mathre appeared before a U.S. Magistrate Judge for the Northern District of Ohio on February 6, where he pleaded not guilty to both charges: Threats against the President and Successors to the Presidency, and Receipt and Distribution of Child Pornography. He remains in custody ahead of a detention hearing scheduled for February 11, 2026. Attempts to reach Mathre’s legal representative have so far been unsuccessful, and no public statement has been made on his behalf.
The chilling nature of the threat—specifically, the reference to an M14 automatic gun—has heightened concerns about the security of public officials and the broader issue of political violence in the United States. As Reuters noted, experts have increasingly sounded the alarm about the rise in threats and actual violence against politicians in a polarized national environment. The Mathre case arrives amid a string of high-profile security incidents, including a recent guilty plea from a January 6 rioter who was accused of threatening a congressional leader.
While the indictment against Mathre does not specify whether he had the means or intent to carry out his threat, the Department of Justice has stressed that any such statements, regardless of context or medium, will be treated with the utmost seriousness. The Secret Service’s rapid intervention and the collaborative effort among federal, state, and local agencies reflect a security apparatus on high alert.
The dual nature of the charges—combining political violence with the possession of child sexual abuse materials—has provoked outrage and disgust from officials and the public alike. The Department of Justice’s press releases and public statements have not minced words, branding the offenses as both “disgusting” and “depraved.”
For Vice President Vance, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the risks faced by public officials in today’s climate. Although Vance has not issued a personal statement regarding the threat, his office has expressed gratitude for the work of law enforcement and has reiterated the Vice President’s commitment to carrying out his duties undeterred.
Legal analysts point out that the case against Mathre could set important precedents in both the prosecution of threats against high-ranking officials and the handling of child sexual abuse material cases. The maximum penalties attached to each charge underscore the seriousness with which the federal government is approaching both aspects of the indictment.
As the case moves forward, the public will be watching closely—not only for its immediate outcome but also for what it signals about the nation’s resolve to confront threats against its leaders and to protect vulnerable populations from exploitation. The scheduled detention hearing on February 11 is expected to provide further clarity on the prosecution’s case and Mathre’s legal strategy.
In a nation grappling with deep divisions and mounting anxieties over political violence, the arrest and indictment of Shannon Mathre stand as both a cautionary tale and a testament to the vigilance of law enforcement. The coming weeks will reveal the full extent of the legal consequences for Mathre, but for now, authorities are sending a clear message: threats against public officials and crimes against children will be met with swift and uncompromising justice.