Las Vegas Man Sentenced to Five Years in Prison for Threatening to Murder Federal Officials and State Employees

LAS VEGAS - A Las Vegas man who was convicted by a jury for threatening to assault and murder public officials over a seven-month period was sentenced today by United States District Judge Jennifer A. Dorsey to 60 months in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release. The government recommended 71 months in prison.

According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, from November 30, 2023, through July 7, 2024, Spencer Christjencody Gear threatened public officials using vulgar and violent language in a series of phone calls and sent an email threatening to assault and murder eight federal officials, including judges, as well as three state employees. The threats were intended to intimidate and interfere with the officials as they carried out their duties and to retaliate against them for actions taken in their official roles in Washington, D.C., New York, and Montana.

"Today's sentencing should send a clear message that the FBI stands firm in its commitment to protecting our public officials and ensuring that individuals who seek to harm others will be held accountable," said Special Agent in Charge Christopher S. Delzotto for the FBI Las Vegas Field Office. "Threats of violence are never merely words; they constitute serious federal crimes, and the FBI takes every threat with utmost seriousness. The act of spreading fear and intimidation has no place in our community."

"The United States Marshals quickly responds to threats against the judiciary and public officials," said U.S. Marshal Gary Schofield for the U.S. Marshals Service. "This investigation is a result of solid partnerships with our fellow agencies that resulted in a conviction and justice being done."

"Threats against public officials should never be tolerated," said Chief Michael G. Sullivan for the U.S. Capitol Police. "I am proud of the men and women of our law enforcement partners, including the Department of Justice for their exceptional work on this case. Their diligence and commitment to justice helped ensure that the individual responsible was held accountable."

In February 2026, after a six-day trial, a jury found Gear guilty of nine counts of threatening a federal official and 11 counts of transmitting a communication containing a threat to injure.

Executive Assistant United States Attorney Summer Johnson for the District of Nevada, FBI Special Agent in Charge Christopher S. Delzotto, U.S. Marshal Gary Schofield, and Chief Michael G. Sullivan made the announcement.

The FBI, U.S. Marshals Service, and U.S. Capitol Police investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Daniel Schiess prosecuted the case.

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