Grand Rapids, MI – A 35-year-old man has been sentenced to 18 months in a federal correctional facility for making threats to kill President Donald Trump and assault his family members. U.S. District Judge Jane M. Beckering issued the sentence on Monday.
Richard James Spring pleaded guilty to one count of making threats against the President of the United States. In exchange for his plea, prosecutors dropped additional charges related to threatening Trump.
As part of his plea agreement, Spring will undergo mental health, anger management, and substance abuse counseling. The threats began with a TikTok post on January 22.
Court documents revealed grotesque details of the threats, including a message stating that he would “make sure he is assassinated before his first year.” Following threats directed at Trump’s family were also documented.
On January 26, Secret Service agents questioned Spring about the threats he made on social media. He claimed they were not meant to be taken seriously, stating he was a Democrat who disagreed with Trump’s policies.
Spring has no access to weapons and lacks formal military or police training, according to court filings. A search of his phone showed that his previous Twitter account had been suspended for similar threats.
Following his release, Spring will serve two years on supervised release.