Joseph de Soto

Last updated
Joseph de Soto
Born1962or1963(age 61–62)
Gerrardstown, West Virginia
Political party Democratic Party [n 1]

Joseph Angel de Soto (born 1962-1963) [2] is an American politician who was the representative-elect for West Virginia's 91st House of Delegates district in 2024. The district is based in Berkeley County. [3] He was arrested on December 12, 2024 for making terroristic threats [4] against members of the West Virginia Legislature. [5] [6] [7] He was never sworn in to his seat and was officially ousted on January 8, 2025. [8]

Contents

Personal life and career

De Soto lives in Gerrardstown. [9] As of 2021, he had published over 150 papers. [10] Prior to his race for District 91, he claimed that he was a doctor and a medic for the Rangers. [11] [n 2] De Soto ran as a Republican in 2024, but switched party affiliation to Democrat on December 11. [16] He is a self-described conservative. [17]

Arrest and prosecution

De Soto was arrested on December 12, 2024 in Martinsburg. [18] [19] He claimed that "Moroni had called on him" to kill members of the West Virginia Legislature. [20] [21] He was released on bond on December 23 and is currently on home confinement. [8] [22] A police report released stated he intended to harm or kill Bill Ridenour, Roger Hanshaw, Pat McGeehan, Michael Hite, Chuck Horst, and Joe Funkhouser. [23] [24] [25] The case is currently awaiting a grand jury. [26]

Footnotes

  1. ↑ De Soto ran in 2024 as a Republican. On December 11, the day before his arrest, he switched parties. [1]
  2. ↑ De Soto claimed that he was a physician and medic for the Army Rangers while on the campaign trail. Multiple news outlets have investigated his credentials and believe that his careers were either fake or embellished, with gaps in his claims. The West Virginia House Republican Caucus had agreed to move forward with expulsion of de Soto over the allegations. [12] [13] [14] [15]

References

  1. ↑ Heaney, Briana (2024-12-18). "While Delegate-Elect De Soto Sits In Jail, Secretary Of State's Office Figures Out What A Replacement Would Look Like". West Virginia Public Boradcasting. Retrieved 2025-06-09.
  2. ↑ Diaz, Johnny; Vigdor, Neil (2024-12-12). "Incoming West Virginia Lawmaker Is Accused of Making Terroristic Threats". The New York Times. ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved 2025-06-10.
  3. ↑ Stowers, Shannon (2024-12-12). "Court records: Incoming West Virginia delegate threatened to kill fellow lawmakers". wchstv.com. Retrieved 2025-06-09.
  4. ↑ "West Virginia Code | §61-6-24". West Virginia Code. Retrieved 2025-06-09.
  5. ↑ Ferrell Kinsely, Amelia (2024-12-12). "Incoming WV house member de Soto arrested for making terroristic threats against lawmakers". West Virginia Watch. Retrieved 2025-06-09.
  6. ↑ McElhinny, Brad (2024-12-12). "Incoming delegate is charged with threatening terrorist acts: 'God had called him to kill them'". MetroNews. Retrieved 2025-06-09.
  7. ↑ McElhinny, Brad (2024-12-12). "Criminal Complaint - Joseph A DeSoto". DocumentCloud. Retrieved 2025-06-09.
  8. 1 2 Willingham, Leah (2025-01-08). "West Virginia lawmakers oust delegate-elect on house arrest who made terroristic threats | AP News". Associated Press . Retrieved 2025-06-09.
  9. ↑ Milbourne, Toni (2024-12-12). "De Soto arrested over alleged threats to delegates | Journal-news | journal-news.net". The Journal. Retrieved 2025-06-09.
  10. ↑ "Dr. Joseph Angel de Soto named the Editor & Chief of the Journal of Advanced Biochemistry and Research". The Journal. 2021-02-11. Retrieved 2025-06-09.
  11. ↑ Milbourne, Toni (2024-10-15). "Joseph de Soto Delegate District 91 | Journal-news | journal-news.net". The Journal. Retrieved 2025-06-09.
  12. ↑ Vass, Kyle; Siford, Austin (2024-06-24). "The Fantastic Life of Dr. Joseph De Soto: False Claims Made by the Presumptive Delegate from West Virginia's 91st District". Dragline. American Civil Liberties Union . Retrieved 2025-06-09.
  13. ↑ Kercheval, Hoppy (2024-12-17). "The House of Delegates should not seat Joseph de Soto". MetroNews. Retrieved 2025-06-09.
  14. ↑ Allen Adams, Steven (2025-01-09). "West Virginia House declares de Soto seat vacant | News, Sports, Jobs - News and Sentinel". The Parkersburg News and Sentinel. Retrieved 2025-06-09.
  15. ↑ Milbourne, Toni (2024-12-23). "De Soto has bail lowered; home confinement approved | Journal-news | journal-news.net". The Journal. Retrieved 2025-06-09.
  16. ↑ Richards, Zoë; Shabad, Rebecca (2024-12-13). "Incoming West Virginia state lawmaker arrested for allegedly threatening to kill fellow lawmakers". NBC News. Retrieved 2025-06-09.
  17. ↑ Durkin, Angela (2023-12-15). "De Soto announces candidacy for W.Va. House of Delegates District 91". The Journal. Retrieved 2025-06-09.
  18. ↑ Heaney, Briana; Walker, Jack; Bailey, Caelan (2024-12-12). "Incoming Delegate Arrested For Alleged Death Threats To Colleagues - West Virginia Public Broadcasting". West Virginia Public Broadcasting. Retrieved 2025-06-09.
  19. ↑ "Incoming West Virginia state delegate Joseph De Soto arrested for alleged terroristic threats". My Buckhannon. 2024-12-12. Retrieved 2025-06-09.
  20. ↑ Milbourne, Toni (2025-01-09). "Legislature removes de Soto; applications open for seat | Journal-news | journal-news.net". The Journal. Retrieved 2025-06-09.
  21. ↑ Kandel, Jason (2024-12-13). "Incoming delegate is charged with threatening terrorist acts". Law & Crime. Retrieved 2025-06-09.
  22. ↑ Ferrell Kinsley, Amelia (2025-01-08). "WV House Republicans vacate seat of Joseph de Soto, lawmaker accused of threatening to kill members". West Virginia Watch. Retrieved 2025-06-09.
  23. ↑ Pellegrino, Rachel; Taylor, Issac (2024-12-12). "De Soto threatened to kill West Virginia delegates: Complaint | WOWK 13 News". WOWK-TV. Retrieved 2025-06-09.
  24. ↑ McElhinny, Brad (2024-12-18). "Delegate-elect accused of violent threats could be blocked from House seat - WV MetroNews". WV MetroNews. Retrieved 2025-06-09.
  25. ↑ Salai, Sean (2024-12-13). "Joseph De Soto jailed for threatening to kill Republicans - Washington Times". The Washington Times. Retrieved 2025-06-09.
  26. ↑ "deSoto Case Headed to Grand Jury - The Panhandle News Network | WEPM & WCST". The Panhandle News Network. 2025-03-19. Retrieved 2025-06-09.
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