A Fond du Lac man has been convicted of making terrorist threats for threatening Wisconsin legislators with political violence and murder. Seventy five year old James Stearns was convicted following a court trial by Fond du Lac judge Anthony Nehls. In an email to a talk radio host Stearns threatened to murder any legislator who voted in favor of a bill that would allow teachers or administrators to be armed with a firearm. Stearns also sent an email to a specific legislator stating, that if the legislator passed legislation to “arm teachers administrators and other staff” that “you’ll be a dead man in 60 days” and “people will hunt you down and your family like animals.” Stearns railed against AR15 style firearms as he threatened the life of the legislators, according to the criminal complaint. District Attorney Toney stated, “Political violence has no place in society and threats to murder legislators for doing the work of the people is a threat to democracy and must never be tolerated. Political disagreement is healthy but it must be done civilly and peacefully. We will continue to protect those that do the people’s work, regardless of whether we agree or disagree with their politics.” The legislation was proposed following the deadly school shooting in Uvalde Texas. Stearns was sentenced to seven days in jail and fined $500.
