A newly elected West Virginia lawmaker was arrested on Thursday after he was accused of making "threats of terrorist acts" against his fellow lawmakers.
Joseph de Soto, who was elected to represent South Berkeley County, grew irate after a private meeting of Republicans in which delegates questioned whether de Soto genuinely worked as a doctor or served in the military. He then threatened several several fellow delegates.
"When asked what he meant by using the word 'kill,' he advised that God had called him to kill them," according to a the criminal complaint obtained by Metro News.
De Soto, 61, was arrested just after midnight on Thursday morning and charged with making threats of terrorist acts, a felony.
Two lawmakers shared their experiences with de Soto on social media.
Delegate Michael Hornby posted that "a credible threat on myself and a few other delegates" was made, adding that he "received a call to relocate [his] family immediately."
Wayne Clark also shared that he was named in a death threat and advised to move his family to safety.
"Basically the individual said 'God told me to kill' and mentioned my name directly," Clark told WEPM Radio.
"Hopefully now the individual has an opportunity to get the help he needs," Clark stated, adding he hopes de Soto does not "approach me in another way to finish what they started. It's kind of scary. It's like, when does it end. Does it end?"
De Soto is currently being held on $300,000 cash bond.
Originally published by Latin Times
