Man charged with threatening deputy leader also possessed illegal materials

A citizen who was reportedly arrested for allegedly threatening to kill the nation’s second-highest official was also found in possession of child sexual abuse materials, according to the Justice Department.

Shannon Mathre, 33, from a northern industrial city, was taken into custody on Friday on suspicion of threatening the deputy leader during the official’s visit to the region in January, authorities said.

Mathre allegedly stated, “I am going to find out where he (the deputy leader) is going to be and use my M14 automatic gun and kill him,” according to prosecutors. The Justice Department did not provide specific details about when or where the threat was reportedly made. However, the nation’s top prosecutor suggested in a news release that “You can hide behind a screen, but you cannot hide from this Department of Justice,” indicating the threat may have been made online.

“Our attorneys are vigorously prosecuting this disgusting threat against [the deputy leader],” the prosecutor said.

The federal protective service arrested Mathre on February 6, sources confirmed. A federal grand jury has since returned an indictment charging Mathre with making the threat against the official.

While investigating the alleged threats, federal agents reportedly discovered “multiple digital files of child sexual abuse materials” in Mathre’s possession, according to prosecutors. Subsequently, the grand jury also charged that “from about Dec. 31, 2025, to Jan. 21, 2026,” Mathre allegedly engaged in the receipt and distribution of such materials.

“While arresting this man for allegedly threatening to murder the [deputy leader], a serious crime in and of itself, federal law enforcement discovered that he was also in possession of child sexual abuse materials,” said a senior Justice Department official. “Thank you to federal, state and local partners in working together to bring justice twofold to this depraved individual.”

A regional federal prosecutor said “violent threats” such as the one made against the deputy leader would “not be tolerated.” He vowed that those who make these threats “will face swift justice and prosecution.”

Mathre made his initial court appearance on February 6, before a federal magistrate judge, the Justice Department said, adding that he remains in custody until his detention hearing, which is set to take place on February 11.

If found guilty, Mathre faces up to five years in prison and a maximum statutory fine of $250,000 for the threat against the official, according to authorities. Additionally, if found guilty on the illegal materials charge, Mathre could be sentenced to a maximum of 20 years in prison and given a statutory fine of up to $250,000.

The deputy leader has reportedly faced multiple death threats and had his residence vandalized last month, highlighting the security challenges facing high-ranking officials in the country.

William DeFoor, 26, was arrested in early January in connection with the vandalism of the official’s home. DeFoor was booked on charges of vandalism, obstruction of official business, criminal damaging or endangering, and criminal trespass.

“I appreciate everyone’s well wishes about the attack at our home. As far as I can tell, a crazy person tried to break in by hammering the windows. I’m grateful to the secret service and the [local] police for responding quickly. We weren’t even home as we had returned already to [the capital],” the deputy leader wrote on social media.

In another January incident, Marco Antonio Aguayo, 22, from a western coastal region, was also arrested after allegedly making multiple threatening comments on a corporate social media account referencing explosive devices and violent action against “corrupt politicians” on July 12, the same day the deputy leader and his family were reportedly visiting and staying at a resort.

Additionally, observers noted that a volunteer radio show host resigned after authorities confirmed they are aware of a post threatening the official on a social media platform. The person identified themselves as a host of a radio show funded by a regional public university.

The university told media outlets that it alerted authorities once it became aware of the post. Federal protective services confirmed they were aware of the post, though law enforcement agencies declined to comment on the ongoing investigation.

The series of incidents reflects ongoing security concerns in a nation where political tensions have reportedly intensified, with officials facing increased threats across party lines.