Fond du Lac County DA Toney: Man convicted of terrorist threats for threatening Wisconsin legislators with political violence and murder in 2022

Today District Attorney Eric J. Toney announced that James R. Stearns was convicted at a Court Trial by Judge Anthony Nehls of one count of Terrorist Threats, a Class I Felony. The conviction stems from two emails sent by Stearns on May 25 and May 27, 2022, to a talk radio host and a member of the Wisconsin Legislature in the days after the Uvalde School Schooling.

In an email to the talk radio host, Stearns invited the email to be shared and threatened to buy a gun that he described as “the most powerful I can purchase” to murder any legislator that voted in favor a bill that would allow teachers or administrators to be armed with a firearm. Stearns also sent an email to a specific legislator stating, that if the legislator passed legislation to “arm teachers administrators and other staff” that “you’ll be a dead man in 60 days” and “people will hunt you down and your family like animals.” Stearns railed against AR15 style firearms as he threatened the life of the legislators.

District Attorney Toney stated, “Political violence has no place in society and threats to murder legislators for doing the work of the people is a threat to democracy and must never be tolerated. Political disagreement is healthy but it must be done civilly and peacefully. We will continue to protect those that do the people’s work, regardless of whether we agree or disagree with their politics.” Stearns is 75 years old with no prior criminal record and was sentenced to 7 days jail and a $500 fine, plus court costs.

This case was investigated by the Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Office with assistance from the Wisconsin Capital Police. This case was prosecuted by ADA Catherine Block.