On Friday, a US federal jury issued an indictment against a 33-year-old man, on charges that he threatened Vice President J.D. Vance during his visit to Ohio in January. The threat included the use of an automatic rifle, at a time when experts' fears of political violence and threats to political figures in the United States are increasing.

Published on: 02/07/2026 - 08:30Last updated: 02/07/2026 - 14:37

A federal grand jury has indicted a 33-year-old man on charges of threatening to kill US Vice President J.D. Vance during his visit to the Ohio area in January, the Justice Department announced Friday.

Shannon Mathry, of Toledo, Ohio, is accused of threatening to kill Vance and cause him bodily harm, the department said in a statement.

According to the indictment cited by the Justice Department, Mathri said, “I will find out where (the Vice President) will be and I will use my M14 automatic rifle to kill him.”

Mathari was arrested by agents of the US Secret Service on Friday, and a representative for him could not be immediately reached.

Growing fears of political violence

Experts have raised concerns about political violence and threats of violence in a sharply divided United States in the past few years.

Last week, a participant in the January 6, 2021 riot, who was pardoned by President Donald Trump, pleaded guilty to harassment after he was accused of threatening to kill US House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries.

During the investigation into the aforementioned threats, federal agents also discovered several files containing material related to child sexual abuse in Mathri's possession, according to the Department of Justice.

Mathry made his first appearance before a U.S. Magistrate Judge for the Northern District of Ohio on Friday, and remains in custody awaiting a hearing scheduled for February 11, the Justice Department said.

Penalties of up to 20 years in prison

If found guilty of the charges, Mathry faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a maximum statutory fine of $250,000 for threatening the vice president's life, the Justice Department said. The ministry added that Mathri faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a maximum statutory fine of $250,000 if he is found guilty of possession of child pornography.

France 24/Reuters

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