A former Virginia Beach resident has been sentenced to five years in federal prison for making threats against former President Joe Biden and former Vice President Kamala Harris. Kevin Butler, 47, was convicted on seven counts of knowingly and willfully threatening the president and vice president after a two-day bench trial in December 2024.
According to court records and evidence presented at trial, Butler made several phone calls in early December 2022 to a Virginia Probation and Parole office. During these calls, he threatened the lives of then-President Biden and then-Vice President Harris. In 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 is not Butler’s first conviction for such offenses. In 2014, he was found guilty in the Eastern District of Virginia for making threats against then-President Barack Obama and then-Vice President Joe Biden.
The United States Secret Service conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jason Scheff and Keith Parrella prosecuted the case.
