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Scott Merryman, Presidential Threats, Baltimore MD, 2022
BALTIMORE, MD – Scott Ryan Merryman, 37, of Independence, Kansas, is facing federal charges after allegedly threatening to harm the President of the United States and multiple U.S. Secret Service agents. Merryman, who traveled from Kansas to Maryland, made the threats in a series of phone calls and social media posts, prompting a swift response from federal authorities.
According to court documents, Merryman first alerted law enforcement on January 25th and 26th that he was traveling to Washington, D.C. with the intent to “cut the head off the snake in the heart of the nation.” The chilling phrase was repeated during an in-person interview with a Secret Service agent in Hagerstown, Maryland, on January 26th. A search of Merryman revealed no weapons, but agents discovered a loaded magazine containing three bullets and a spotting scope in his backpack.
The threats didn’t stop there. Later that same day, Merryman allegedly called the Secret Service agent he’d spoken with in Kansas, claiming he’d received “the answer” from agents in Hagerstown. He then launched into a tirade, repeatedly stating, “I’m coming for you b***h,” and adding, “Well, I have a bullet with your name on it.” The affidavit details a series of increasingly hostile messages posted on social media between January 25th and 27th, further painting a picture of escalating intent.
Investigators also discovered that Merryman contacted the White House switchboard on January 27th, directly threatening the President using the same phone number he’d used to contact the Kansas Secret Service agent. The threats were relayed to a White House operator and subsequently to a Secret Service Special Agent. The level of detail and directness of the threats prompted immediate action from both the Baltimore and Kansas City Field Offices of the U.S. Secret Service.
Merryman is now facing two federal charges: making threats against the President of the United States, and interstate communication containing a threat to harm. If convicted, he could face a maximum sentence of five years in federal prison for each charge. However, United States Attorney Erek L. Barron noted that actual sentences are typically less than the maximum penalties, determined by the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
A criminal complaint has been filed, but Merryman is presumed innocent until proven guilty at trial. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland and the U.S. Secret Service commended the collaborative investigation, highlighting the importance of swift action in cases involving threats against national leaders and law enforcement. Merryman’s initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Baltimore was scheduled for January 28th at 3:45 p.m. before U.S. Magistrate Judge Pamela Meade Sargent.
Key Facts
- Agency: U.S. Secret Service
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Press Release
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