NEW: Alleged Child Predator Arrested For Threatening To Kill VP Vance

The U.S. Justice Department announced Friday that an Ohio resident had been arrested and charged with making threats against Vice President JD Vance and his family during a recent visit to his home state.

U.S. Secret Service agents arrested Shannon Mathre, a 33-year-old resident of Toledo, Ohio, following a federal grand jury indictment charging him with making threats against the vice president. The indictment stems from statements Mathre allegedly made in January 2026, during Vance’s visit to the northwest Ohio region.

“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 allegedly threatened, according to the DOJ. This comment was reportedly made on or around January 21 or 22, coinciding with Vance’s appearance in Toledo.

The Justice Department did not specify the medium through which the threat was communicated, such as whether it was posted online, spoken, or sent via message.

Earlier this week a federal grand jury returned a two-count indictment against Mathre. In addition to the threat charge, Mathre faces allegations related to child sexual abuse materials.

During the investigation into the threats, authorities discovered that he was in possession of digital files depicting minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Prosecutors further accused him of distributing and receiving such materials between December and the time of his arrest.

Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche commented on the case, noting that while the threat against the vice president was a serious offense, the discovery of child sexual abuse materials added to the gravity of the situation.

“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. “Thank you to federal, state and local partners in working together to bring justice twofold to this depraved individual.”

Mathre was booked into the Lucas County jail following his arrest. He made an initial appearance before a U.S. Magistrate Judge in the Northern District of Ohio on February 6 and remains in custody at this time, according to a report from local outlet WTVG.

A detention hearing is scheduled for February 11, 2026, to determine if he will be released pending trial.

The latest arrest comes just weeks after a transgender individual allegedly traveled to the vice president’s Cincinnati home and attempted to gain entry. William DeFoor, 26, was charged with an act of physical violence in a restricted building or grounds, willful injury or depredation of U.S. property, and assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers or employees.

Neither Vice President Vance nor any members of his family were home at the time of the incident.

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