Ohio Man Charged for Threatening to Kill VP Vance

Prosecutors also accuse the Toledo resident of possessing child abuse files

Published on Feb. 7, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A Toledo man named Shannon Mathre has been charged with threatening to kill Vice President JD Vance during the VP's visit to the city last month. Prosecutors have also charged Mathre with possessing digital files depicting child sexual abuse, which carries a much stiffer potential penalty of up to 20 years in prison. Mathre's lawyer claims his client's health issues make it unlikely he could have carried out the threat against the VP.

Why it matters

Threats against public officials, especially the Vice President, are taken extremely seriously by law enforcement. This case highlights the Justice Department and Secret Service's zero-tolerance policy for political violence. The additional charges related to child abuse files add further gravity to the case.

The details

According to the indictment, Mathre allegedly said "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 Secret Service seized Mathre's Samsung phone on January 21 as part of the investigation, which went beyond just the online threat to examine Mathre's actions and behavior. Prosecutors have charged Mathre with a maximum 5-year sentence for the threat against VP Vance, and up to 20 years for the child abuse files.

  • Mathre made the threat against VP Vance during the VP's visit to Toledo last month.
  • Mathre's phone was seized by the Secret Service on January 21 as part of the investigation.

The players

Shannon Mathre

A 33-year-old Toledo resident who has been charged with threatening to kill Vice President JD Vance and possessing digital files depicting child sexual abuse.

Neil McElroy

Mathre's lawyer, who claims his client's health issues make it unlikely he could have carried out the threat against the VP.

JD Vance

The current Vice President of the United States.

Pamela Bondi

The Attorney General who stated the Justice Department is "vigorously prosecuting this disgusting threat against Vice President Vance."

David M. Toepfer

The U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio, who said "hostile and violent threats made against the Vice President, or any other public official, will not be tolerated in our district."

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“I am going to find out where he (the vice president) is going to be and use my M14 automatic gun and kill him.”

— Shannon Mathre (wlwt.com)

“Anyone that spends any time in a room with Mr. Mathre or has any knowledge of his condition -- physical condition, mental condition -- can see that it's a farce.”

— Neil McElroy, Mathre's Lawyer (wlwt.com)

“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.”

— Pamela Bondi, Attorney General (wlwt.com)

“Hostile and violent threats made against the Vice President, or any other public official, will not be tolerated in our district.”

— David M. Toepfer, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio (wlwt.com)

“The safety and security of those we protect is paramount to everything we do. Thanks to vigilant members of the public and the tenacious work of our special agents, a comprehensive joint investigation was conducted, resulting in the arrest of a defendant for making threats against the Vice President.”

— Matthew Schierloh, Secret Service Agent in Charge of Toledo Office (wlwt.com)

What’s next

Mathre is scheduled to appear in court on Wednesday for a hearing to determine if he will remain in custody as the case moves forward.

The takeaway

This case highlights the Justice Department and Secret Service's zero-tolerance policy for any threats or violence against public officials, especially the Vice President. The additional charges related to child abuse files add further gravity to the situation and show law enforcement is taking this threat extremely seriously.