A longtime Minnesota lobbyist was charged Friday after allegedly making violent threats “with the purpose to terrorize another” person, according to court documents.
Jonathan M. Bohn, 41, is accused of committing “threats of violence — reckless disregard” after he allegedly sent a series of threatening text messages. The charge, a felony, carries a penalty of up to five years in prison, a $10,000 fine, or both.
While the court document, filed in the 1st Judicial District of Carver County, does not include the name of the person to whom Bohn, a lobbyist for 20 years, allegedly sent the texts, it does include samples of several texts threatening in nature.
In one message, Bohn allegedly wrote in part, “Today I bought 500 bullets. I can’t wait to shoot one of you motherf—–s in the face.”
In another message, he allegedly wrote, “Excited to have my gun at the Capitol and blow somebody’s f—–g face off.”
On Friday, a judge in Chaska, Minnesota, set Bohn’s bail at $1 million and ordered that he have no contact with the person he allegedly made the threatening comments to. The judge also ordered that Bohn must stay at least a half-mile away from the Capitol complex.
Bohn allegedly sent the flurry of threatening texts on Wednesday. Court documents suggest he was allegedly spurred on after seeing a friend post an image of President Donald Trump as a king. It appears the friend changed the image ahead of the June 14 “No Kings Day” march, a protest against Trump, according to NBC affiliate KARE 11.
Earlier on June 14, Minnesota state Rep. Melissa Hortman, the former state House speaker, and her husband, Mark Hortman, were shot and killed in their homes. State Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, were also shot in their homes. John Hoffman, who was shot nine times, is in critical but stable condition.
Despite Bohn’s alleged series of erratic text messages, the person who received them did not respond to Bohn, according to court documents.
During a search of Bohn’s home, police say they found a gun but no ammunition.
As he sat in court on Friday, Bohn wept through the proceedings, according to KARE 11. He later released a statement from jail.
“Earlier this week, I was grieving the horrific acts of violence committed against my friends and colleagues,” he said. “In the midst of this immense grief, I sent a series of heated and emotional texts to a friend of nearly thirteen years — someone with whom I’ve shared countless candid and passionate political conversations. In that moment of anguish, I used language that I deeply regret. The words were spoken from pain, not from intent. I am a hurting person, not a violent one.”
He went on to say that he is not a violent person.
“I am profoundly sorry that my words have created a distraction during this time of collective mourning. This moment demands unity, compassion, and reflection — and I am committed to being part of that healing.”
As his case moves through the court system, Bohn is on administrative leave from the Inter Faculty Organization (IFO), which represents the needs of seven Minnesota state universities.
“We are monitoring developments closely, cooperating as needed with law enforcement and will continue to keep our members informed,” said IFO President Jenna Chernega in a statement to KARE 11.
Bohn’s next court date is Aug. 27.
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