After reportedly threatening to kill other state politicians, a newly elected West Virginia state lawmaker was taken into custody on Thursday.
After an investigation revealed that Joseph de Soto “had made several threatening/intimidating threats against government officials,” troopers arrested him early Thursday morning, according to a statement from West Virginia State Police Lt. Leslie T. Goldie Jr., who was elected in November to represent West Virginia in the House of Representatives.
“The West Virginia State Police and the West Virginia Capitol Police take all threats against government process seriously,” Goldie Jr. stated. “Any person making these threats used to intimidate, disrupt, or coerce the members of our West Virginia legislature or other governmental bodies will not be tolerated.”
His bond was set at $300,000, and he was charged with one count of felony—threats of terrorist activities.
An official with the Berkley County Commission told NBC News that a witness told police on Wednesday that de Soto was unhappy after a recent meeting where Republican state lawmakers debated whether to oust him from the caucus. De Soto had not yet been sworn in, and it is unclear what sparked the conversation.
“He was going to kill delegates,” the lawsuit claims, and the witness described the conversation to de Soto over the phone on Tuesday. A few Republican state officials, including Roger Hanshaw, the speaker of the West Virginia House of Delegates, were singled out in the complaint.
When asked for comment, Hanshaw did not immediately answer.
“When asked what he meant by using the word ‘kill,’ he advised God called him to kill them,” according to the complaint.
The witness gave police an email in which de Soto stated that the delegates “can all go to hell, I will send them there as commanded.” The witness also gave authorities a text message in which de Soto stated, “I did say I am going to kill people I said I am going that is necessary to put them from office.”
According to the complaint, de Soto “has a temper and can become very angry,” as the witness informed the police.
“Mr. DeSoto has been very upset over things that have been occurring with the political group and things that he believes are being said against him and feels that he is being attacked and forced out of his position,” the lawsuit stated.
On Thursday, a request for comment from De Soto was not immediately answered.
In a statement, Matt Herridge, the chairman of the West Virginia Republican Party, denounced de Soto’s behavior and stated that the party is in favor of his dismissal.
In a statement, Herridge said, “It is a travesty for anyone to have to deal with the additional burden of threats made against themselves and their families, as our elected officials sacrifice a lot to serve their communities.”
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