Spencer Gear, a 32-year-old man from Las Vegas, has been charged with threatening to injure and kill government officials in multiple states, including the judge and prosecutor involved in former President Donald Trump’s criminal hush money trial. He pleaded not guilty to 22 felony charges and is currently in federal custody in Nevada. Gear allegedly made threatening phone calls to various officials, including Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg and New York Judge Juan M. Merchan. The indictment against him lists 11 alleged victims.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Brenda Weksler remanded Gear to federal custody, citing the numerous threatening calls made by him to victims in Nevada, New York, New Jersey, and Montana. The judge highlighted a particularly concerning message directed at a judge and district attorney, which displayed a lack of respect for the judicial system. Gear has a limited prior criminal history, with only two driving-related offenses and a recent charge of resisting arrest. The trial is set for September 24.
Trump’s hush money criminal case, prosecuted by Bragg’s office, has faced a significant increase in threats and intimidation since April. At least 56 actionable threats have been reported against Bragg, his family, and staff, along with nearly 500 threatening emails and phone calls. These threats included bomb threats, photos of sniper sights aimed at individuals involved in the case, and messages threatening to kill them. In 2023 alone, there were 89 threats recorded, compared to only one threat in 2022.
The surge in threats began in March 2023 after Trump falsely claimed online that he was about to be arrested, leading supporters to protest and make threats against officials. Bragg’s office received a letter containing white powder and a death threat, while court officials stated that Judge Merchan also received multiple death threats. Following Trump’s arraignment in April 2023, state court spokespersons confirmed that Merchan’s chambers were receiving harassing and defamatory calls and emails. A 26-year-old New York man was charged with threatening the state Attorney General and Judge Engoron in Trump’s civil fraud case in April.
In August 2023, FBI agents fatally shot an armed Utah man suspected of making threats against multiple government officials, including Bragg, Attorney General Garland, Attorney General James, and President Biden. Family members of Craig Deleeuw Robertson described him as a gun enthusiast concerned about government corruption. The incident highlights the ongoing issue of threats and intimidation against public officials and calls for measures to ensure their safety and protection.
