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Daily Mail
10 hours ago
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Clinton donor and lobbyist's chilling threats against Minnesota capitol days after Democrat lawmakers were shot
A Minnesota lobbyist is facing felony charges after he allegedly threatened to shoot people at the Minnesota State Capitol just days after a lawmaker in the state was assassinated and another critically injured. Jonathan Michael Bohn - who has made numerous donations to Democratic causes including Hillary Clinton 's presidential campaign - was arrested on Wednesday after making the threats via text message. The 41-year-old Bohn works as the public affairs director of the Inter Faculty Organization (IFO). He made his first appearance in Carver County District Court on Friday. In court, prosecutors said he had texted someone that he was 'excited to have his gun at the capitol and blow someone's effing face off'. The criminal complaint, seen by KARE11, prosecutors claim he also said that: 'After January 6, I bought a pistol. 'Today I bought 500 bullets. I can't wait to shoot one of you mother******* in the face,' he wrote. Officials said that a search of his home uncovered a firearm and he was placed under arrest. According to the Minnesota House GOP, the text was received by a constituent of Rep. Jim Nash who then reported it to the authorities. The outlet also reported that Bohn cried throughout his first appearance as Judge Eric Braaten set his bond at $1 million and ordered him to not contact the person he had text. Bohn was also ordered to stay at least a half a mile radius away from the Capitol complex. His attorney, John Lesch, said Bohn was engaged in a political argument when he made the comments. Lesch contended that the remarks were inappropriate but didn't mean to convey an actual intent to harm anyone. He told the court that Bohn had been angered by a post that had mocked two of his friends, Rep. Melissa Hortman and Sen. John Hoffman. Hortman was murdered last week alongside her husband Mark, while the same gunman also attempted to kill Hoffman and his wife. Authorities say Trump supporter Vance Boelter, 57, is responsible for the killings, he was arrested late on Sunday night following an extensive manhunt. Boelter was charged with a total of six federal counts - two for stalking, two for murder, and two for shooting and firearms offenses. He already faces state charges, including murder and attempted murder. In a statement, Bohn said: 'I condemn violence in all its forms, and I agree with the calls from public officials and community leaders to turn down the temperature of our political discourse. 'I failed to do that here. I am profoundly sorry that my words have created a distraction during this time of collective mourning. 'This moment demands unity, compassion, and reflection — and I am committed to being part of that healing.' In a bio on the IFO site, it says: 'In the halls of the Capitol, Jonathan is regarded as a well-connected advocate who has worked on a variety of issues leading to legislative victories.' State records say he has been registered as a lobbyist with the firm since 2015, and works in the area of higher education. The IFO is a union that represents thousands of faculty at the seven state universities in Minnesota. He has been placed on leave following the allegations. IFO President Jenna Chernega said in a statement: 'We are monitoring developments closely, cooperating as needed with law enforcement and will continue to keep our members informed. 'As an organization, we remain committed to respectful, values-driven engagement with lawmakers, community partners, and one another – even in difficult moments.' Federal Election Commission data also reveal he has donated Democrat PAC ActBlue numerous times, as well as the Hillary for America campaign.
Yahoo
11 hours ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Lobbyist accused of threating shooting at MN Capitol charged with felony
A Minnesota lobbyist accused of sending text messages threatening to shoot people at the state Capitol now faces a felony charge. Jonathan Michael Bohn, 41, of Woodbury, has been charged with threats of violence after allegedly sending a string of 'threatening and disparaging' messages to an acquaintance, the Carver County Attorney's Office announced Friday. Bohn, a lobbyist with the Inter Faculty Organization, a union that represents faculty at Minnesota state universities, said he had bought '500 bullets' and was 'excited to have my gun at the capitol and blow somebody's (expletive) face off,' prosecutors allege. The alleged threats did not mention any specific state lawmaker. A person received the messages while at a restaurant in Waconia on Wednesday, according to the criminal complaint, which leaves the alleged victim unnamed for privacy reasons. They came after a 'falling out with the victim over political differences,' the Carver County Attorney's Office said in a news release on the charges. After learning of the alleged threats, law enforcement obtained a search warrant for Bohn's Woodbury home and found an unloaded firearm in a locked case in his garage, according to the complaint. Police questioned took him into custody. Bohn remained in the Carver County Jail in Chaska Friday afternoon. At his bail hearing Friday, Judge Eric Braaten set Bohn's bond at $1 million, ordered no contact with the alleged victim and ordered him to stay at least half a mile away from the Minnesota Capitol. In a statement, the Inter Faculty Organization said it had placed Bohn on administrative leave. 'The Inter Faculty Organization (IFO) condemns political violence and threats of violence in any form,' union president Jenna Chernega said in a statement. 'Such acts are unacceptable and stand in direct opposition to the values that guide our work: civil discourse, mutual respect, and advocacy rooted in integrity.' Rep. Jim Nash, a Waconia Republican, reported the threatening text to law enforcement on Wednesday. Nash notified the House sergeant at arms, State Patrol and Carver County Sheriff's Office of a 'personal text message to a constituent that was threatening in nature,' the Minnesota House GOP Caucus said in a news release. 'The threat was not aimed at any particular lawmaker but the message did include a threat of violence at the Capitol,' House Republicans said. The news release didn't identify the suspect but said authorities questioned and arrested the person on Wednesday. Republicans said the House sergeant at arms is not aware of any further threats to the Legislature or its staff. Sen. John Hoffman, wife say daughter alerted police to politically motivated shootings Lobbyist in custody for 'threat of violence' at Minnesota Capitol UMN hikes tuition 6.5%, makes program cuts at all campuses Julian Scadden: Recent grads can build their futures in the trades Maple Grove lawmaker confirms gunman visited her home Bohn's arrest comes less than a week after a shooting spree that took the lives of former House Speaker Melissa Hortman, DFL-Brooklyn Park, and her husband, Mark, and injured Sen. John Hoffman, DFL-Champlin, and his wife, Yvette. The alleged gunman visited the homes of two additional lawmakers that same night and had notebooks naming dozens more targets, federal prosecutors said this week. Lawmakers' home addresses have already been removed from the Minnesota Legislature's website, and the Capitol saw a larger security presence than usual this week. Elected officials have again called for new security measures at the state Capitol, such as entry checkpoints with metal detectors and X-ray machines.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Lobbyist in custody for ‘threat of violence' at Minnesota Capitol
Authorities have arrested a Minnesota lobbyist suspected of sending a text message that included a 'threat of violence' at the state Capitol, Minnesota House Republicans said Thursday. Jonathan Michael Bohn, 41, of Woodbury, remained in custody at the Carver County Jail in Chaska Thursday awaiting a court hearing for a pending threats of violence charge, according to Sgt. Chris Nelson with the Carver County Sheriff's Office. Rep. Jim Nash, who reported the threatening text to law enforcement on Wednesday, confirmed Bohn is a lobbyist with the Inter Faculty Organization, a union representing faculty at Minnesota state universities. The organization didn't immediately respond to a phone call late Thursday. Nash notified the House Sergeant at Arms, State Patrol and Carver County Sheriff's Office of a 'personal text message to a constituent that was threatening in nature,' the Minnesota House GOP Caucus said in a news release. 'The threat was not aimed at any particular lawmaker but the message did include a threat of violence at the Capitol,' Republicans said. The news release didn't identify the suspect but said authorities questioned and arrested him on Wednesday. Republicans said the Sergeant at Arms is not aware of any further threats to the Legislature or its staff. Nelson said more details on the case would come in a Friday news release. Check back for updates to this developing story. UMN hikes tuition 6.5%, makes program cuts at all campuses Julian Scadden: Recent grads can build their futures in the trades Maple Grove lawmaker confirms gunman visited her home Letters: Republicans want to deceive the public when it comes to Medicaid State Sen. Sandy Pappas reflects on lawmaker shootings, personal safety
