Newly-elected House member says ‘God called him to kill’ fellow Delegates, Speaker of the House

By Matthew Young, RealWV

MARTINSBURG, W.Va. – A bizarre series of events played out within the state’s legislature this week, as allegations of death threats mandated by the Almighty, led to the early-morning arrest of one of West Virginia’s newest lawmakers. 

“They play stupid games, they are getting stupid awards,” reads an email written by Delegate-elect Joseph de Soto on Tuesday, in reference to his soon-to-be colleagues in the House. In November, de Soto – as a Republican – was elected to represent the southern portion of Berkeley County in the state legislature. 

“I had a vision to destroy them all,” de Soto’s email continues, while mentioning Delegates Michael Hite, Chuck Horst, Wayne Clark, and Joe Funkhouser by name. “They can all go to hell, I will send them there as commanded,” de Soto concludes. 

While the situation reached its crescendo in the pre-dawn hours of Thursday morning, it had its opening act much earlier in the year. 

In June, Kyle Vass and Austin Siford released an article, through the ACLU’s “Dragline” publication, titled “The Fantastic Life of Dr. Joseph de Soto: False Claims Made by the Presumptive Delegate in West Virginia’s 91st District.” In their article, Vass and Siford highlighted several possible examples of de Soto being intentionally dishonest, and fact-checked several different claims made by the then-candidate throughout his campaign for office. 

De Soto’s claims ranged from severely exaggerating the length, scope, and combat status of his incredibly brief and uneventful military career, to claiming to have provided free healthcare to hundreds of people, despite not being licensed to practice medicine in any state in the country. During a January talk show appearance on WRNR TV, de Soto is captured on video stating that, “Religiously, adultery is a crime as bad as murder, according to my religious beliefs.”

Fast forward to Tuesday of this week, and Republican concern surrounding de Soto’s mental fitness and campaign-dishonesty has prompted the caucus to vote in favor of taking de Soto “out of his position.” That’s according to a criminal complaint which documented the events leading up to the arrest. 

It is presently unclear what the Republican caucus believed that taking de Soto “out of his position” meant. (Removal from office, exile from the party, etc.) However, one caucus member, who wished to remain anonymous, did confirm the existence of an ongoing legislative-investigation into de Soto’s behavior. De Soto was seemingly aware of the investigation, as he officially left the Republican Party by registering as a Democrat prior to his Thursday arrest. 

According to the criminal complaint, de Soto was informed, via telephone, of the caucus’ decision after their vote Tuesday evening. This is when de Soto allegedly made his first threat against his colleagues in the House, saying he was “going to kill delegates.”

As further documented in the criminal complaint by Sgt. Z. L. Nine of the West Virginia State Police, “Mr. de Soto advised he was going to kill (Delegates) Michael Hite, Pat McGeehan, Chuck Horst, Bill Ridenour, and Roger Hanshaw.”

“When asked what he (de Soto) meant by using the word ‘kill,’” Nine continued, “He advised God called him to kill them.”

Investigators were also provided with a series of emails and text messages sent by de Soto between Tuesday afternoon, and early Wednesday morning. In these communications, de Soto states, “I am upset only with the Eastern Panhandle delegates.”

“I have only begun, and I won’t stop,” de Soto continues. “I had a vision to destroy them from the Angel of Moroni – Hite, Funkhouser, Horst, and Wayne Clark.” A text from de Soto adds, “I am going (to do) what is necessary to put them from office.” 

The threatening statements were so alarming to investigators, that the State Police reportedly advised the evacuation of the family-homes of each delegate specifically named by de Soto. His subsequent arrest was for the felony charge of “Threats of Terrorist Acts.” 

RealWV will provide updates regarding this developing situation as additional details are made available.