Joseph de Soto, a newly elected state lawmaker in West Virginia, was arrested Thursday in Martinsburg on charges that include making terroristic threats.
The 61-year-old, who was set to represent Berkeley County in the West Virginia House of Delegates, is accused of issuing “several threatening/intimidating threats against government officials,” according to a statement from Lt. Leslie T. Goldie Jr. of the West Virginia State Police.
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Authorities have not disclosed the specific nature of the threats or identified all the individuals targeted. However, reports from WVDM indicate that one of de Soto’s alleged targets was West Virginia House Speaker Roger Hanshaw, a Republican.
De Soto was elected as a Republican in November, winning his seat with 72% of the vote after defeating two Republican opponents in the primary. However, on Wednesday—just one day before his arrest—he switched his party affiliation to Democrat, according to Mike Queen, a spokesperson for the West Virginia Secretary of State’s Office.
Queen noted that while elected officials can change party affiliations after being sworn in, the legality of switching parties before taking office remains unclear. The Secretary of State’s Office is currently reviewing the matter.
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The case is still under investigation, and de Soto has not publicly commented on the allegations. State police emphasized the seriousness of threats made against government officials. “The West Virginia State Police and the West Virginia Capitol Police take all threats against government process seriously,” said Lt. Goldie Jr. “Any person making these threats to intimidate, disrupt, or coerce the members of our legislature or other governmental bodies will not be tolerated.”
If convicted, he could face up to three years in prison and a $25,000 fine.
The West Virginia Republican Party quickly condemned de Soto’s actions. GOP Chair Matt Herridge issued a statement disavowing the behavior: “Our elected officials sacrifice a lot to serve their communities, and it is a travesty for anyone to face the additional burden of threats made against themselves and their families.”
De Soto’s arrest and sudden party switch have sparked questions about the implications for his seat. As a Democrat, his presence could shift dynamics in the state legislature, although legal challenges may arise over whether he can retain the seat under a different party affiliation before taking office.
The situation adds another layer of complexity to what was already a politically charged environment in West Virginia, with lawmakers and party officials navigating the fallout from this unprecedented incident.
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