State Lawmaker Arrested For Making Terroristic Threats Against Entire GOP Delegation

A West Virginia state delegate-elect was arrested after allegedly threatening to kill multiple lawmakers, reportedly after being informed he might be dropped from his GOP caucus position.

Del-elect Joseph de Soto, a medical doctor from Gerrardstown which is located approximately 100 miles west of Washington, D.C. allegedly threatened several other delegates, including the Speaker of the House after being told to step down.

De Soto was listed in state jail records for Berkeley County as having been booked as a “pretrial felon” for making terroristic threats. 

Fox News Digital reported that De Soto was advised of a vote removing him from a position for “undisclosed reasons,” and that “he was upset” after hearing the news. 

De Soto had threatened to kill several fellow lawmakers as well as House Speaker Roger Hanshaw, R-Clay.

“I am focused on four people who are evil … not angry, but at peace what I need to do,” De Soto said, according to the criminal complaint. When an individual tried to stop de Soto from threatening people, his response was “I did say I am going to kill people. I said I am going (sic) what is necessary to put them (sic) from office.”

De Soto said he had a vision from the Mormon Angel of Moroni to “destroy” Wayne Clark, R-Charles Town, and Dels. Michael Hite, Joe Funkhouser and Charles Horst, all R-Martinsburg. He also claimed to have been told by God to kill another lawmaker from Weirton.

“They play stupid games, they are getting stupid awards,” de Soto wrote in an email to a person who complained to police, according to a law enforcement report obtained by Fox News Digital. 

“I am upset only with the Eastern Panhandle delegates. I have only begun… and won’t stop,” he said in an email to another individual according to the complaint, which ends with: “they can all go to Hell. I will send them there as commanded,”

De Soto had been elected as a Republican in the 91st District, however, he reportedly filed to change his affiliation to Democrat shortly before his arrest.

The filing sets up a potential partisan or legal fight as to how he is replaced, a West Virginia provides that if a delegate vacancy exists, the outgoing lawmaker’s party’s county committee “shall appoint a member of the party” to the seat.

The West Virginia State House is currently 89-11 Republican.

In a statement, WVGOP Chairman Matt Herridge said the party is aware of the allegations and facts of the case, “as well as the steps the House GOP Caucus has taken toward [de Soto’s] expulsion.”

“Our elected officials sacrifice a lot to serve their communities, and it is a travesty for anyone to face the additional burden of threats made against themselves and their families. The West Virginia Republican Party supports our House leadership and their expulsion efforts.”

“We disavow and condemn the behavior of the former Republican Delegate-elect and continue to thank all those who are willing to serve their communities and state, in spite of the serious challenges it too often poses.”