A Las Vegas man, Spencer Gear, has been charged with threatening to injure and kill government officials in three states and the District of Columbia, including the New York judge and prosecutor who handled former President Donald Trump’s criminal hush money trial. Gear, 32, was arrested and pled not guilty to 22 felony charges of threatening a federal official and transmitting a communication containing a threat to injure. The indictment, filed under seal on July 16, lists 11 alleged victims by initials, including Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg and New York Judge Juan M. Merchan.
The judge, U.S. Magistrate Judge Brenda Weksler, highlighted a recording of a telephone message from Gear on June 3, which was directed at a judge and a district attorney. The language used in the message was described as of great concern to the court, leading to Gear being remanded to federal custody ahead of trial. Gear’s lack of respect for the judicial system and judges was also noted by the magistrate judge, despite his limited prior criminal history. Gear’s trial is scheduled for September 24.
The threats against Alvin Bragg, his family, and staff, as well as the intimidating emails and phone calls received since April, have raised serious security concerns. Bragg’s office reported at least 56 actionable threats, including bomb threats, sniper sights aimed at people involved in the case, and threatening messages indicating violence. The increase in threats in 2023 compared to previous years has been alarming, with police recording 89 threats to Bragg, his family, or staff this year alone.
The wave of threats against government officials began in March 2023, coinciding with false online claims made by Donald Trump that he was about to be arrested, and encouraging supporters to protest and “take our nation back.” This led to increased security measures for officials like Bragg and Merchan, with threats of violence directed towards them and their families. In response to the threats, other individuals connected to high-profile legal cases involving Trump, such as New York state Attorney General Letitia James and Judge Arthur Engoron, have also been targeted by threats of death and physical harm.
In August 2023, FBI agents fatally shot an armed Utah man suspected of making threats against Alvin Bragg, Attorney General Merrick Garland, Letitia James, and President Joe Biden. The man, Craig Deleeuw Robertson, was described by family members as a gun enthusiast who was concerned about what he saw as a corrupt and overreaching government. The incident highlights the serious consequences of threatening government officials and the need for increased security measures and law enforcement intervention to prevent violence and protect those in positions of authority.
