A Las Vegas man named Spencer Gear, aged 32, has been accused of making threats to harm and kill government officials in various states and in the District of Columbia. The targets reportedly included the New York judge and prosecutor involved in former President Donald Trump’s hush money trial. Gear was indicted on 22 felony charges related to threatening federal officials and transmitting threatening communications. He pleaded not guilty following his arrest and was being held in federal custody in Nevada.
The indictment mentioned 11 alleged victims by initials, including individuals in a Nevada to New York phone call where threats to kill A.B. and J.M. were made, referring to Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg and New York Judge Juan M. Merchan. The judge overseeing Gear’s case expressed concern over the numerous threatening calls made to individuals in New Jersey and Montana.
The threats followed a significant event related to former President Trump’s trial, where a jury found him guilty on all charges regarding a hush money payment to a porn actor amid the 2016 election. Trump’s legal team has requested the judge to overturn the verdict, citing a recent Supreme Court decision. Gear, with limited prior criminal history apart from driving offenses, was ordered to remain in federal custody until his scheduled trial in September.
In a separate incident, threats and intimidation were directed at Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, his family, and staff following the prosecution of Trump’s hush money case. The threats included bomb scares, intimidating messages, and a surge in threatening emails and calls. The threats intensified following a false claim made by Trump online, leading to increased security measures for officials involved in the case.
Recent events have seen an escalation in threats against government officials, with law enforcement taking action against individuals suspected of making harmful statements or sending threatening messages. The incidents underscore the challenges faced by officials dealing with high-profile cases and emphasize the ongoing need for safeguarding individuals in positions of authority from dangerous threats and intimidation tactics.
