Donald Trump

Manhunt for Fugitive Shawn Christy, Wanted for Threatening President Trump, Moves to Ohio

The U.S. Marshals Service says Christy stole a truck Sunday in Pennsylvania and fled after abandoning it on an Ohio interstate

Federal authorities say a man accused of threatening President Donald Trump and other law enforcement officials is being sought in Ohio, where he is believed to have abandoned a truck that was stolen early Sunday from a northeastern Pennsylvania business. 

U.S. Marshals, the FBI and the U.S. Secret Service have been searching for 27-year-old Shawn Christy of McAdoo for more than two months, saying he has threatened to use "full lethal force on any law enforcement officer that tries to detain me."

State police in Luzerne County said the truck was reported stolen at 12:30 a.m. Sunday from the Skitco Iron Works in Hazle Township, from which Christy is believed to have stolen food, money and a shotgun.

"Federal agents are considering Christy a suspect in this vehicle theft because Christy is believed to have burglarized the same business on Sept. 5th and was known to still be in the immediate area," the U.S. Marshals said in a statement Sunday.

The truck was found abandoned around 5 p.m. Sunday on Interstate 71 in the Mansfield area of northern Ohio. 

A federal warrant was issued June 19 for Christy in relation to Facebook threats against Northampton County's district attorney, alleging that he posted "I promise I'll put a bullet in your head as soon as I put one in the head of President Donald J. Trump."

Christy is also wanted in Pennsylvania on arrest warrants for burglary, probation violation, and failure to appear for an aggravated assault case.

The Maple Shade, New Jersey native's parents said Thursday that Christy sent a Facebook message to them saying he "was slowed down a bit" after he may have broken his knee during a Maryland "getaway." The message ends: "Stay safe, I have a mission to complete."

Federal authorities have asked for help for the public, offering a reward of up to $20,000, but warn that Christy should be considered armed and dangerous.

This is not Christy’s first threat against a public official, according to investigators. In 2012, he and his father pleaded guilty to harassing Sarah Palin and her attorneys by phone in 2011 after an Alaska magistrate issued restraining orders against Shawn Christy on behalf of Palin. In one message, Christy allegedly threatened to come to Alaska and rape one of Palin’s attorneys.

Christy has also attempted to attack local officials. He was charged with aggravated assault in March of last year after police say he swung a large stick at McAdoo Mayor Stephen Holly, according to court documents. He is also accused of making terroristic threats and bomb threats in 2017.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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