Spencer Christjencody Gear, Threatening Federal Officials, Nevada 2024

Threats Made by Local Man to Federal Officials and State Employees

A disturbing trend of threats made by a Las Vegas man has come to light, with the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Nevada announcing the arrest and indictment of Spencer Christjencody Gear, 32, for threatening to assault and murder federal officials and state employees.

According to court documents, between November 30, 2023, and July 7, 2024, Gear made threatening phone calls and sent a threatening email to assault and murder eight federal officials with intent to impede, intimidate, and interfere with the officials while engaged in the performance of official duties, and with intent to retaliate against the officials on account of the performance of official duties. Gear also threatened three state employees.

Gear was arrested and made his initial court appearance this afternoon before United States Magistrate Judge Brenda Weksler. He is charged with 10-counts of threatening a federal official and 12-counts of transmitting a communication containing a threat to injure. A jury trial has been scheduled for September 24, 2024 before United States District Judge Jennifer A. Dorsey.

If convicted, Gear faces a maximum penalty of 10 years for each count of threatening a federal official and 5 years for each count of transmitting a threat to injure.

United States Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada, Special Agent in Charge Spencer L. Evans for the FBI Las Vegas Field Office, Marshal Gary Schofield for the U.S. Marshals Service, and Chief J. Thomas Manger, Chief of the U.S. Capitol Police made the announcement.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation, United States Marshals Service, United States Capitol Police, New York State Courts Department of Public Safety, New York County District Attorney’s Office – Investigations Bureau, and the Montana Highway Patrol investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Jacob Operskalski is prosecuting the case.

An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

The case highlights the importance of taking threats against federal officials and state employees seriously and the need for swift action to protect those who serve the public.

Gear's next court appearance is scheduled for a later date.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-nv/pr/las-vegas-man-arrested-and-indicted-threatening-murder-federal-officials-and-state