MARTINSBURG, WV (LOOTPRESS) – Joseph DeSoto, the incoming delegate for West Virginia’s 91st District, was arrested early Thursday morning, December 12, 2024, on charges of making terroristic threats.
The arrest was made by troopers from the Martinsburg Detachment of the West Virginia State Police.
DeSoto, a Gerrardstown resident, was elected in November’s General Election after defeating Constitution Party candidate Rick Thomson. He was scheduled to take office in January.
According to a statement from the West Virginia State Police, the arrest followed an investigation that revealed DeSoto had allegedly made multiple threatening and intimidating statements targeting government officials, particularly other House members.
The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities emphasize the seriousness of such threats.
“Any person making these threats to intimidate, disrupt, or coerce members of the West Virginia legislature or other government bodies will not be tolerated,” the statement reads.
He is currently at Eastern Regional Jail.
Further updates are expected as the investigation develops.
