Wasilla man charged with making threats, stalking Michigan public official

ANCHORAGE, Alaska – A federal grand jury in Alaska returned an indictment last month charging a Wasilla man with making threats in interstate commerce and stalking. According to court documents, between Sept. 18 and 23, 2025, James Lawhorn, 54, allegedly sent communications on Facebook to multiple accounts, on a city website, and by telephone that contained threats to injure and murder the mayor of a city in Michigan. Some messages included: “We must get this scum out of our country now. Put a bullet in this mf’s head now.” “This mayor needs to be killed now…. Hang him and all his family now. He is not safe on the streets anymore.” “All Muslims must now die in America because of this fucking fag. No sleep until he is in the dirt along with all his scum family and friends and Muslims.” In total, Lawhorn sent more than 20 threatening messages. The messages contained violent rhetoric and threats of assassination, including via hanging and firing squad. Lawhorn is charged with seven counts of making threats in interstate commerce and one count of stalking. The defendant made his initial court appearance today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Matthew M. Scoble of the U.S. District Court for the District of Alaska. If convicted, he faces up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. U.S. Attorney Michael J. Heyman for the District of Alaska and Special Agent in Charge Matthew Schlegel of the FBI Anchorage Field Office made the announcement. The FBI Anchorage Field Office is investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrea Steward is prosecuting the case. An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. ###