NEW: Democrat Lawmaker Arrested For Threatening GOP Colleagues

An incoming Democrat state representative in West Virginia has been arrested after he allegedly threatened to kill five of his soon-to-be Republican colleagues.

Joseph de Soto, 61, was arrested by state police Thursday in Martinsburg after an investigation found that he made “several threatening/intimidating threats against government officials,” according to a statement from Lieutenant Leslie T. Goldie Jr. of the West Virginia State Police. Police did not provide additional details as to what the threats were or whom exactly they were directed towards.

Local outlet WDVM reported that West Virginia Republican Speaker of the House Roger Hanshaw was one of the targets, according to a criminal complaint reviewed by the outlet.

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CHARLESTON, https://t.co/Aywo8GQclS. (AP) – A newly elected state lawmaker in West Virginia is facing at least one felony and is accused of making terroristic threats. Joseph de Soto, 61, was arrested by state police Thursday in Martinsburg following an investigation that found… pic.twitter.com/zLAqxe62yQ

— Allison Papson (@AllisonPapson) December 13, 2024

“This arrest was made following an investigation that revealed Mr. Desoto had made several threatening/intimidating threats against government officials. This investigation is ongoing,” the West Virginia State Police announced in a press release. “The West Virginia State Police and the West Virginia Capitol Police take all threats against government process seriously.”

De Soto, a Republican, won a three-candidate Republican primary race to represent the state’s 91st district. He ultimately emerged victorious, unseating incumbent Don Forsht before winning an uncontested race in November.

On Wednesday, de Soto switched his party affiliation to the Democratic Party after running as a Republican in the general election. The Secretary of State’s website listed him as a Democrat as of Thursday morning, according to a report from West Virginia Watch.

Ahead of de Soto’s arrest, West Virginia Republicans had raised concerns about whether de Soto was truthful about his military career. Doubts were also raised after de Soto claimed to have been a practicing physician after a report from ACLU-WV detailed several inaccuracies in de Soto’s statements.

FACT-CHECK: Incoming delegate Joseph De Soto has never been licensed to practice medicine. He's also falsely claimed to be an Army Ranger and university dean.

This and the married, pro-family candidate's history of soliciting sex work in my latest story.https://t.co/LLWn2DME6C pic.twitter.com/oEa6GJeMIk

— Kyle Vass (@WilliamKyleVass) August 5, 2024

On Sunday, House Republicans held a closed door meeting in which they questioned de Soto over the allegations and floated the possibility of moving to disqualify him.

According to a criminal complaint, de Soto stated that Sunday’s meeting had angered him. “They play stupid games, they are getting stupid awards … I have only begun … and won’t stop. I had a vision to destroy them from the angel of Moroni,” de Soto reportedly wrote in a December 10 email.

De Soto has yet to be sworn in and could very well be disqualified as a result of his arrest. If he is indeed disqualified, the Democratic Party will get to appoint a replacement due to his party switch.

Mike Pushkin, chair of the state Democratic party, said the allegations against de Soto were “deeply serious and should be treated with the full weight of the law.”

“First and foremost, our thoughts are with the delegates and their families who were subjected
to these alleged threats. No one — especially those working in public service — should ever
have to fear for their safety or the safety of their loved ones,” Pushkin wrote. “We will continue to support efforts to ensure the safety of those who work in service to the people of West Virginia.”

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