On February 6, Secret Service agents arrested Mathre after a grand jury indicted him on two federal charges. The case is related to the events of January 22. Vice President Vance, who is from Ohio and previously represented that state in the U.S. Senate, was on a visit to Toledo at the time, where he visited the Libbey Glass manufacturing plant.
Who is the accused Shannon Mathre?
What charges did Mathre face?
What does Mathre's lawyer say about the accusation?
When will the next hearing in the case take place?
As USA Today reported on Saturday, according to the indictment, Mathre allegedly announced that he would find out the vice president's whereabouts and use an M14 automatic rifle to kill him.
The accused pleaded not guilty
The federal prosecutor's office for the Northern District of Ohio declined to provide other details about the content of the threats, citing the interests of the ongoing proceedings. However, investigators revealed that digital files containing materials on child sexual abuse were also seized during the investigation. As a result, in addition to making threats against the vice president, Mathre was charged with possession and distribution of child pornography.
During a hearing in federal court in Toledo, the defendant pleaded not guilty. Judge Darrell Clay ordered his remand pending his next hearing on February 11.
The 33-year-old was under surveillance by the services. Lawyer says 'farce'
The defendant's attorney, Neil McElroy, said he could not comment on the pornography allegations until prosecutors presented evidence. At the same time, he called his client's accusation of threatening to kill the US Vice President a “farce”. According to the defender, this case can only serve to strengthen the US administration's narrative about the growing wave of violence against government officials.
The Associated Press reported that Mathre planned to track down the vice president during his visit to Toledo. The prosecutor's office noted that the man had previously been under surveillance by the services. For making threats, the accused faces up to five years in prison and a fine of up to PLN 250,000. dollars. Child pornography charges are punishable by up to 20 years in prison and a fine.
