A shocking incident unfolded in West Virginia as State Delegate Joseph De Soto, 61, was arrested for allegedly making “terroristic threats” against five of his Republican colleagues.
De Soto, who was elected to the West Virginia House of Delegates in November as a Republican but switched parties to become a Democrat just one day before his arrest, is now at the center of a political and legal firestorm.
According to the West Virginia State Police report, De Soto allegedly threatened the lives of Delegate Bill Ridenour, House Speaker Roger Hanshaw, Delegate Pat McGeehan, Delegate Michael Hite, and Delegate Chuck Horst. When questioned, De Soto reportedly claimed that “God called him” to commit these acts.
“The Republican Party may contest that and say he was elected as a Republican, and so it should be a Republican, so I am sure there is going to be some litigation,” Tom Susman, a political analyst for WMOV Radio, told the station. “If he does come in as a Democrat, then that means that the Democrats in the caucus can now demand roll call votes, where as with only nine, they couldn’t demand roll call votes.”
Adding to the controversy, De Soto’s party switch has sparked potential legal disputes over which party should retain control of his seat. His defection to the Democrat Party came after Republican colleagues voted to expel him from their caucus amid accusations that he falsified information about his medical and military background during his campaign.
This incident underscores the importance of integrity and accountability in public office. De Soto’s alleged actions and the circumstances surrounding his arrest raise serious questions about his fitness to serve and the standards upheld by the Democrat Party following his abrupt switch.
