Newly elected West Virginia lawmaker arrested and accused of making terroristic threats
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — A newly elected state lawmaker in West Virginia is facing at least one felony charge of making terroristic threats.
Joseph de Soto, 61, was arrested Thursday in Martinsburg by state police after an investigation found he had made “several menacing/intimidating threats against government officials,” according to a statement from Lt. Leslie T. Goldie Jr. of the state of West Virginia. The lieutenant did not provide details about the threats or who they were directed at.
One of De Soto’s alleged targets was Roger Hanshaw, the Republican speaker of the West Virginia House of Representatives, television station WVDM reported, citing a criminal complaint.
De Soto was elected in November to his first term in the West Virginia House as a Republican representing part of Berkeley County in the state’s eastern panhandle. He received 72% of the vote in the general election after defeating two other Republicans in the May primaries.
De Soto did not immediately return a phone or email message seeking comment Thursday. A clerk at the Berkeley County Magistrate Court said De Soto had not been scheduled for arraignment as of Thursday. The case is still under investigation, state police said.
Matt Herridge, chairman of the West Virginia GOP Party, said Thursday that Republican officials in the state “disown and condemn” De Soto’s actions.
“Our elected officials sacrifice much to serve their communities, and it is a travesty for everyone to face the added burden of threats against themselves and their families,” he said in a statement.
De Soto changed his party affiliation from Republican to Democrat on Wednesday — the day before his arrest, said Mike Queen, a spokesman for the West Virginia secretary of state’s office. Queen said that while officials may change their party affiliation after being sworn in, the office is investigating whether a candidate elected under the flag or whether a party can switch to another party before officially taking office.
“The West Virginia State Police and the West Virginia Capitol Police take all threats against the process of government seriously,” Goldie Jr. said. “Any individual who makes these threats, uses them to intimidate, disrupt, or coerce the members of our West Virginia Legislature or other government agencies will not be tolerated.”
If convicted, de Soto could face a fine of up to $25,000 and three years in prison.