A resident of Butler, Pennsylvania, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh for making threats against President Donald J. Trump and other U.S. officials, announced Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti. The case involves Shawn Monper, 32, who is currently held in Butler County Prison. Monper faces an eight-count indictment following previous charges under a federal criminal complaint.
On April 9, 2025, the FBI, with the support of the Butler Township Police Department, arrested Monper. During the arrest, authorities seized three handguns that Monper had purchased earlier in 2025. Following hearings on April 14, 2025, the court deemed Monper a community threat, ordering his detention pending trial.
Each count of the indictment carries a potential maximum sentence of up to five or ten years in prison and fines up to $250,000, or both. The actual sentence will depend on the severity of the offenses and Monper's criminal history, if any.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Brendan J. McKenna. The investigation leading to the indictment was conducted by the FBI and the Butler Township Police Department.
It is important to remember that an indictment is merely an accusation, and a defendant is considered innocent unless proven guilty.