The U.S. Department of Justice has charged a Toledo, Ohio, man with making a violent threat against Vice President JD Vance and possessing child sexual abuse materials, a case that has rattled local residents and reignited concerns about political violence in the United States. Shannon Mathre, 33, was arrested by Secret Service agents on February 6, 2026, following a federal grand jury indictment that alleges he threatened to kill Vice President Vance during the vice president's visit to northwest Ohio last month. The incident has drawn swift condemnation from law enforcement officials and prompted renewed calls for vigilance in protecting public figures.
According to the indictment, Mathre stated on January 21, 2026, “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 Department of Justice (DOJ) has not specified the medium through which Mathre allegedly conveyed this threat, but the explicit nature of the statement left little ambiguity about his intentions. The timing of the threat—just one day before Vice President Vance's scheduled appearance in Toledo—heightened the urgency of the law enforcement response. On January 22, Vance delivered remarks in Toledo alongside other prominent Republican figures, including Senator Jon Husted and Ohio gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, according to reports from local news outlet WTVG.
Federal law enforcement officials wasted no time in pursuing the case. Mathre's arrest came after a collaborative effort involving the Secret Service and local and state police. “Hostile and violent threats made against the Vice President, or any other public official, will not be tolerated in our District,” said David M. Toepfer, the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio, in a statement published by multiple outlets. “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.”
Attorney General Pamela Bondi also weighed in, emphasizing the seriousness with which the DOJ views threats against public officials. “Our attorneys are vigorously prosecuting this disgusting threat against Vice President Vance,” she said in a statement cited by WTVG. “You can hide behind a screen, but you cannot hide from this Department of Justice.”
The case took an even darker turn when, during the investigation into the alleged threat, federal agents discovered that Mathre was in possession of child sexual abuse materials. According to the DOJ, between December 31, 2025, and January 21, 2026, Mathre not only possessed but was also engaged in the receipt and distribution of sexually explicit images involving minors. The indictment now includes two charges: Threats against President and Successors to Presidency, and Receipt and Distribution of Child Pornography.
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche commented on the gravity of the situation, stating, “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.”
Mathre appeared before a U.S. Magistrate Judge for the Northern District of Ohio on February 6, 2026, where he pleaded not guilty to both charges. He remains in custody ahead of a detention hearing scheduled for February 11, 2026. If convicted, Mathre faces severe penalties: up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine for threatening the vice president, and up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for the child sexual abuse materials charge, as reported by Reuters.
The chilling nature of the threat against Vice President Vance comes amid a broader national conversation about political violence and the safety of elected officials. In recent years, the United States has witnessed a surge in threats against public figures, with high-profile incidents prompting increased security measures and bipartisan calls for civility. Experts have warned that such threats, regardless of whether they are carried out, can have a corrosive effect on democracy and public discourse. According to Reuters, "Experts have raised alarm about political violence and threats of violence in a polarized U.S. in recent years."
This case is not occurring in a vacuum. Just days before Mathre's indictment, a January 6, 2021, rioter who had been pardoned by President Donald Trump pleaded guilty to a harassment charge after being accused of threatening to kill U.S. House of Representatives Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries. The parallel incidents underscore the persistent risks faced by public officials and the ongoing challenge for law enforcement agencies tasked with protecting them.
While the DOJ and law enforcement agencies have been quick to act in Mathre’s case, the broader issue of political violence remains a complex and troubling problem. The rise in threats has been attributed to a variety of factors, including increased polarization, the proliferation of social media platforms that can amplify extremist rhetoric, and a general erosion of trust in institutions. Law enforcement officials have repeatedly stressed the importance of reporting suspicious behavior and taking all threats seriously, no matter their source or apparent credibility.
In addition to the threat against Vice President Vance, the discovery of child pornography in Mathre’s possession has added another layer of gravity to the case. Possession and distribution of such materials are among the most serious federal offenses, carrying stiff penalties and reflecting a zero-tolerance approach by prosecutors. The DOJ’s decision to pursue both charges simultaneously is a clear signal of its intent to hold Mathre fully accountable for his alleged actions.
Mathre’s legal journey is just beginning. With a detention hearing set for February 11, the court will soon decide whether he should remain in custody pending trial. Legal experts note that the combination of violent threats against a high-ranking government official and the possession of child sexual abuse materials will likely weigh heavily in the court’s decision-making process. Mathre’s plea of not guilty means the case could proceed to trial, where federal prosecutors are expected to present a robust case based on the evidence collected during their investigation.
As the case unfolds, many in Toledo and beyond are watching closely, mindful of the broader implications for public safety and the rule of law. The swift action by law enforcement and the DOJ’s unequivocal statements have provided some reassurance, but the incident is a sobering reminder of the vulnerabilities faced by those in public office—and the ongoing need for vigilance in the face of such threats.
For now, Vice President JD Vance and his team have not issued a public statement regarding the incident, but the case remains a stark illustration of the challenges confronting American democracy in an era of heightened polarization and risk. The legal proceedings against Shannon Mathre will be closely watched as a test of the justice system’s ability to respond decisively to threats against the nation’s leaders and the most vulnerable among us.