LAS VARGAS, Nevada — Federal authorities have arrested a Las Vegas resident, Spencer Gear, on multiple charges after he allegedly threatened to harm several government officials across the United States. Gear, 32, faces 22 felony counts relating to threats aimed at individuals including a New York judge and the district attorney involved in the hush money trial of former President Donald Trump.
Gear was taken into custody in Nevada and entered a not guilty plea earlier this week. His indictment, which was initially sealed, lists 11 victims with only their initials disclosed. Among those targeted were Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg and Judge Juan M. Merchan, both referenced by initials in threatening communications that Gear sent from Nevada to New York.
In one of the more alarming pieces of evidence presented by prosecutors, a recorded phone message dated June 3 was directed at a district attorney and a judge, using language that U.S. Magistrate Judge Brenda Weksler described as “of great concern to the court.” Gear’s legal representative, Rebecca Levy, has not yet commented on the charges.
This arrest comes in a context where threats against judicial and governmental figures are on the rise. The office of DA Alvin Bragg, which prosecuted Trump’s criminal case, documented significant threats against Bragg and his family. Since April, they have counted over 500 threatening communications, including at least 56 considered “actionable” threats, such as bomb threats and a photo depicting sniper sights targeting personnel involved in the case.
The escalation of threats this year started significantly on March 18, following Trump’s online proclamation of an imminent arrest, which was inaccurate. Bragg’s office also received a letter containing white powder around the same time, with a threatening note directed specifically at Bragg.
Gear’s recent arrest puts him in custody pending a trial set for September 24. Judge Weksler noted Gear’s limited criminal history, primarily driving offenses, but expressed concerns over his apparent disrespect for the judicial system. This has been exemplified by the nature of the threats and a recent incident where Gear resisted arrest by federal authorities last week.
The news of Gear’s alleged actions adds to a disturbing pattern of increased hostility and dangers faced by those in the judicial system. Earlier this year, another New York resident was charged with threats against New York State Attorney General Letitia James and Judge Arthur Engoron in related cases involving Trump. In a more extreme instance, FBI agents in Utah fatally shot an armed man who had threatened Bragg along with other high-profile figures.
Such incidents underscore the heightened risk and strains on security protocols surrounding legal figures involved in politically sensitive trials. The growing trend of actionable threats illustrates the charged atmosphere and the challenges faced by officials in maintaining their safety and that of their families. As courts continue to handle high-stake cases, the issue of security and the impact of threatening behaviors are brought to the forefront, highlighting a crucial aspect of the justice system’s operation in today’s increasingly polarized environment.