LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — A Las Vegas man has been convicted of making threatening phone calls and sending emails threatening to assault and murder federal officials and state employees in Washington, D.C., New York and Montana, according to the Department of Justice.
Officials say Spencer Gear made a series of threatening calls for nearly a year, between November 30, 2023, and July 7, 2024.
He targeted eight federal officials, including judges, and three state employees, officials report. The threats were said to intimidate and interfere with the officials as they performed their duties, according to the DOJ.
After a six-day trial, a jury found Gear guilty on nine counts of threatening a federal official and 11 counts of making calls threatening to cause injury.
“This verdict affirms a core principle: the First Amendment protects free speech, but it does not protect threats,” said Executive Assistant U.S. Attorney Summer Johnson for the District of Nevada. “The defendant’s calls and email were made to instill fear and included threats to assault and kill federal officials, judges, and state employees. This verdict makes clear that this conduct crosses a legal line.”
Sentencing and Penalties
Gear will be sentenced on June 1. He could face up to 15 years for the crimes he was found guilty of.
FBI Response
The FBI emphasized the seriousness of threats against federal and state officials.
“Threats of violence are never just words—they are serious federal crimes, and the FBI takes every threat seriously,” said Special Agent in Charge Christopher S. Delzotto for the FBI Las Vegas Division. “Spreading fear and intimidation has no place in our community. Our commitment is unwavering: any threat, whether spoken or written, will be investigated thoroughly. We stand firm in protecting our public servants and ensuring that those who seek to harm others are held accountable.”
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