A West VA state delegate found himself in hot water just weeks before his swearing-in over accusations of threatening violence against fellow lawmakers after being voted out of his position.
West VA state delegate arrested
Authorities allege Joseph de Soto, 61, made chilling threats aimed at five delegates, accusing them of targeting him.
De Soto, who faces charges of “threats of terrorist acts” according to the criminal complaint, allegedly said, “God called him to kill” the delegates he identified by name during a phone call.
“The West Virginia State Police and the West Virginia Capitol Police take all threats against government process seriously,” said Lt. Leslie T. Goldie Jr. of the State Police.
“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.”
Trouble began after a Sunday meeting of a Republican Caucus at the West Virginia Capitol, where members voted to remove de Soto from his position.
Though details of why he was ousted remain scarce, West Virginia Watch reported suspicions among lawmakers regarding his claims about military service and his career as a doctor.
Soto threatens to kill lawmakers
The case took a darker turn on Wednesday when a woman revealed the threatening comments to the police.
“When asked what he meant by using the word ‘kill,’ he advised God called him to kill them,” the woman who made the police report stated.
The complaint states de Soto emailed and named specific individuals he was targeting. One email even mentioned receiving a “vision to destroy them from the angel of Moroni,” referring to a spiritual figure from the Book of Mormon.
Later, he wrote, “They can all go to hell, I will send them there as commanded.”
Another email followed which stated, “I am focused on 4 people who are evil … not angry but at peace what I need to do.”
These emails, laced with incendiary language, were provided as evidence to law enforcement by the complainant, who also handed over threatening text messages.
When confronted in one text exchange and told to stop his violent rhetoric, de Soto responded, “I did say I am going to kill people I said I am going what is necessary to put them from office.”
According to the complaint, the woman reported de Soto’s pronounced temper, explaining that he often became enraged over perceived criticism against him.
West VA state delegate was just elected
Having secured a seat in November to represent District 91, de Soto officially assumed the position on December 1 and was set for an oath-taking ceremony on January 8.
His brief tenure took another twist this week when it was revealed that he switched his political affiliation from Republican to Democrat on Wednesday, confirmed by Mike Queen, spokesperson for the Secretary of State’s Office.
Mike Pushkin, the state Democratic Party Chair, commented about his alarm over the accusations.
“First and foremost, our thoughts are with the delegates and their families who were subjected to these alleged threats. No one — especially those working in public service — should ever have to fear for their safety or the safety of their loved ones,” he wrote.
“We will continue to support efforts to ensure the safety of those who work in service to the people of West Virginia.”
This, from a Physician? Does he treat his patients with the same distain?
I would suggeat that his fatilatiy rate among Republican patients should be investigated.