The U.S. Secret Service has arrested Shannon Mathre, a 33-year-old man from Toledo, Ohio, following threats to kill Vice President JD Vance during a January 2026 visit. Federal authorities charged Mathre with making threats using an automatic rifle and also discovered child sexual abuse material on his devices, compounding the severity of the case.

Mathre was formally indicted and appeared in court after his arrest on February 6, 2026. He has pleaded not guilty. If convicted, he faces up to 25 years in prison under federal statutes governing threats against public officials and possession of child exploitation material. Legal experts note that combined charges of national security threats and child abuse possession represent some of the most serious offenses under federal law.

The case underscores the ongoing responsibilities of the Secret Service in protecting elected officials from credible threats. Authorities emphasized that Mathre’s possession of both weapons and illegal material heightened the danger and complexity of the investigation. Prosecutors have argued that the sentence should reflect both the risk to a top government official and the exploitation of minors, highlighting the dual gravity of his actions.

This arrest comes amid heightened attention to security protocols for federal leaders, reinforcing that threats—even from private individuals—are treated with the utmost seriousness by law enforcement agencies. The investigation remains ongoing, with additional details expected as the case progresses through the federal court system.