CHARLESTON, WV (LOOTPRESS) – A Kanawha County grand jury has indicted a Charleston man accused of making violent threats against multiple public officials, including President Donald Trump and West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey, while running for political office in the state and pursuing a presidential campaign.
Michael Ray Sigmon, 66, of Charleston, was indicted June 12 on charges of making terroristic threats and transmitting obscene, anonymous, harassing and threatening communications through computers, cellphones and other electronic communication devices, according to court records.
Prosecutors allege Sigmon threatened to kill Trump and Morrisey in connection with his political activity.
Court records state that Sigmon was a candidate for the West Virginia House of Delegates representing District 52 and had also declared his candidacy for president of the United States in the 2028 election.
According to investigators, the case began on Oct. 12, 2025, after the West Virginia State Police received a complaint regarding alleged violent threats directed at government officials. Troopers said the threats were initially reported through social media and included graphic references, including “beheading.”
Court records also allege Sigmon submitted statements through a volunteer form for the West Virginia Mountain Party that contained threats toward local law enforcement officers. Investigators further allege that additional online communications included threats against police officers and other public figures.
According to court documents, Sigmon also made social media posts targeting several high-profile individuals, including Elon Musk, whom he allegedly referred to as a “dead man,” while discussing First Amendment issues and alleged restrictions.
In one message cited in court records, prosecutors allege Sigmon wrote that if Trump were elected again in 2028, he would “execute on day 1 on the South Lawn.” He is also accused of making threats toward Morrisey related to an unspecified amount of money.
Earlier this year, Sigmon was found incompetent to stand trial following a court-ordered psychological evaluation. He was subsequently committed to William R. Sharpe Jr. Hospital in Weston for treatment, where evaluators determined he could potentially be restored to competency through additional treatment.
Prosecutors have noted that a grand jury may return an indictment even when a defendant has been found incompetent, allowing the criminal case to move forward while competency issues are addressed.
Sigmon is scheduled to be arraigned at 9 a.m. July 7 before Kanawha County Circuit Judge Jennifer Bailey.
