Incoming West Virginia state representative charged with threatening to kill GOP lawmakers

One incoming West Virginia state lawmaker on Thursday was arrested and charged with allegedly threatening to kill fellow GOP state representatives, according to state police.

Joseph de Soto, who was elected to the West Virginia House of Delegates in November as a Republican, allegedly made multiple threats against conservatives in the House after a recent meeting led lawmakers to discuss whether to expel him from the caucus, NBC News reported. It is not clear why state lawmakers were talking about booting him. 

The secretary of state's office told the outlet he had switched party affiliation to Democrat on Wednesday.

The suspect has been charged with one count of threats of terrorist acts, a felony, and the bond was set at $300,000.

"The West Virginia State Police and the West Virginia Capitol Police take all threats against government process seriously," West Virginia State Police Lt. Leslie T. Goldie Jr. said. "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."

State police said a witness helped them with their investigation into the allegations, and said the witness spoke with de Soto, who detailed the meeting and said "he was going to kill delegates."  

A criminal complaint listed a handful of state lawmakers that de Soto allegedly named as targets, which included Speaker of the West Virginia House of Delegates Roger Hanshaw. 

"When asked what he meant by using the word 'kill,' he advised God called him to kill them," the complaint said.

The witness also shared an email and text messages from de Soto, who has not been sworn into the House yet, that included threatening language. 

"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 and feels that he is being attacked and forced out of his position," the complaint said.

An attorney from the law firm that is representing de Soto told NBC News that their client has pleaded not guilty to the allegations.

Misty Severi is an evening news reporter for Just the News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.