Joseph de Soto, a newly elected Republican member of the West Virginia House of Delegates, faces serious allegations after being charged with making death threats against fellow lawmakers.
Just The News reported that following his arrest, De Soto was charged with a felony related to threats against GOP state representatives, unsettling the state's political landscape.
De Soto's political career took a tumultuous turn when discussions surfaced about potentially expelling him from the GOP caucus shortly after his election in November.
The tension escalated when de Soto changed his party affiliation from Republican to Democrat on Wednesday, as confirmed by the secretary of state's office.
This switch came amid growing strife within his former party and just before the legal actions against him were initiated.
He was officially charged with one count of threats of terrorist acts, which constitutes a felony. This charge followed an investigation that included statements from witnesses who reported de Soto’s threatening behavior towards specific lawmakers.
According to police reports, De Soto used explicit language in his threats, saying he intended to harm his colleagues.
The criminal complaint identified Speaker of the House Roger Hanshaw among the targeted individuals, indicating the seriousness of the threats.
A witness provided crucial evidence, including an email and text messages that contained threatening language from De Soto. His bond was subsequently set at a steep $300,000, reflecting the gravity of the accusations against him.
The complaints highlight de Soto’s claims of divine instruction in his alleged threats, with a disturbing declaration cited in the documents: "When asked what he meant by using the word 'kill,' he advised God called him to kill them." This statement has added a bizarre angle to the already volatile situation.
West Virginia State Police, along with Capitol Police, emphasized their serious approach to any threats against lawmakers. "The West Virginia State Police and the West Virginia Capitol Police take all threats against government process seriously," Lt. Leslie T. Goldie Jr. stated. Any attempts to coerce or intimidate government officials are deemed unacceptable and met with stringent legal consequences.
De Soto's legal representation has argued that their client felt under attack from fellow politicians, which contributed to his emotional and unstable responses.
"Mr. de Soto has been very upset over things that have been occurring with the political group and things that he believes are being said against him," explained the attorney representing him.
Despite the serious allegations, De Soto pled not guilty to the charges presented against him. He has yet to be sworn into the House, and his initial court appearances have been marked by these grave accusations hanging over his entry into formal political duties.
The case has prompted a widespread reaction across the political spectrum in West Virginia, raising questions about the security measures at the state capitol and the implications of such threats on political stability. The incident has put other lawmakers on high alert and fortified security protocols during sessions and meetings.
Analysts and political commentators are closely observing the potential long-term effects this case could have on relationships between parties in the state's legislature, particularly how Democrats will handle the new member with a controversial beginning in their ranks.
As the legal process unfolds, more details about De Soto's actions and the motivations behind his alarming words are expected to emerge, shaping his future in West Virginia politics and potentially setting precedents for how similar cases are handled in the future.