A former Virginia Beach resident, Kevin Butler, has been sentenced to 60 months in federal prison for making threats against former President Joe Biden and former Vice President Kamala Harris. The sentencing took place after Butler was found guilty on seven counts of knowingly and willfully threatening the president and vice president following a two-day bench trial in December 2024.
According to evidence presented at trial, Butler made a series of phone calls in early December 2022 to a Virginia Probation and Parole office, during which he threatened the lives of then-President Biden and then-Vice President Harris. In several voicemails, Butler stated his intent to obtain a MAK 90 semiautomatic firearm, “jump over the fence” outside the White House, and “kill the President.”
Acting United States Attorney Robert N. Tracci commented on the case: “Threats of violence against elected officials affront the political process and the rule of law. This office will seek clear accountability against those who threaten public officials with acts of violence.”
This conviction marks the second time Butler has faced charges for similar offenses. In 2014, he was convicted in the Eastern District of Virginia for making threats against then-President Barack Obama and then-Vice President Joe Biden.
The investigation was conducted by the United States Secret Service. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jason Scheff and Keith Parrella prosecuted the case.
