Nevada man accused of threatening CA Congress members

TONOPAH, Nev. (AP) — A Nevada man faces criminal charges after allegedly telephoning threats to the offices of two California Congress members.

The Pahrump Valley Times first reported Wednesday that Thomas Shea of Tonopah was arrested March 20 on suspicion of two counts of intimidating a public officer.

Nye County spokesman Arnold Knightly said Thursday Shea formally was charged March 26 with two counts of making a threatening call, a misdemeanor.

Sheriff’s Det. Robert Perry said in an arrest report the FBI contacted the sheriff March 20 about threats made against California Democratic Reps. Jackie Speier and Eric Swalwell.

Perry said the recordings warned “he was going to cause physical harm involving a gun.”

A Tonopah Justice Court judge released Shea on his own recognizance March 27 and set a trial for May 1. Court records don’t indicate if he’s hired an attorney.