In a shocking turn of events, a man from Las Vegas, identified as Spencer Gear, has been charged with making threats to assault and kill federal officials, judges, and state employees across several states. According to a federal indictment, the threats were directed at individuals involved in the prosecution of former President Donald J. Trump, including the lead prosecutor and the presiding judge.

Spencer Gear, 32, faces a total of 22 charges, including 10 counts of threatening a federal official and 12 counts of transmitting a communication containing a threat to injure. He pleaded not guilty to the charges during his appearance in the U.S. District Court in Las Vegas and was subsequently taken into federal custody.

The allegations against Gear stem from a recorded telephone message on June 3, which was specifically directed at a judge and a district attorney involved in Mr. Trump's hush-money trial in New York. The judge, identified as Juan Merchan, and the lead prosecutor, referred to as Alvin Bragg in the indictment, received threats that were described by Magistrate Judge Brenda Weksler as "of great concern to the court."

The recorded message was left just days after a jury found Mr. Trump guilty on all 34 charges related to an illegal scheme to influence the 2016 election. The scheme involved a payment to silence a porn actress who claimed to have had a sexual encounter with the former president. Mr. Trump's legal team has since requested that Judge Merchan overturn the verdict, citing a U.S. Supreme Court decision granting the former president immunity from prosecution for attempts to overturn the 2020 election.

The defense argues that the Supreme Court ruling, which extends broad immunity to actions taken while in the White House, undermines the evidence presented during the trial, including testimonies from former White House staff members and Mr. Trump's social media posts. A ruling on the matter is expected in September.

As the legal battle continues, Spencer Gear remains in federal custody, awaiting further proceedings regarding the threats he allegedly made against officials involved in Mr. Trump's trial. The charges against Gear highlight the serious consequences and legal ramifications of threatening public officials, underscoring the importance of maintaining the integrity and safety of the justice system.