WASHINGTON, D.C. – Federal prosecutors say a southwest Ohio man who allegedly threatened to murder House Speaker John Boehner last fall did it because he held the Republican responsible for Ebola and because voice in his radio told him to.
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A grand jury indictment identifies the accused man as Michael R. Hoyt, a former bartender at a Cincinnati-area country club where Boehner was a member.
It charges the man planned to poison Boehner or shoot him.
Boehner is aware of the situation and sincerely thanks the FBI, the Capitol Police and the local authorities in Ohio for their efforts, spokesman Michael Steel said.
The complaint, filed in November says Hoyt was treated for a previous psychotic episode about two years ago. He was prescribed medication “which he voluntarily stopped taking” about six months ago.
Hoyt is currently being held under a court order for mental evaluation and treatment, and U.S. Capitol Police and the FBI believe he “poses a current and ongoing credible threat” to Boehner, the complaint added.
The lawyer listed on court documents as Hoyt’s attorney did not respond to phone calls or email requests for comment Tuesday evening.
The court documents said Hoyt told a police officer he was Jesus Christ and that he was going to kill Boehner because “Boehner was mean to him at the country club and because Boehner is responsible for Ebola.”
The indictment was handed down Jan. 7 though the incidents date back to last fall.