A Michigan man who shares his his initials and last name with Vice President JD Vance has been sentenced to federal prison for making death threats against the vice president, President Donald Trump and others on social media earlier this year.
James Donald Vance Jr., 67, of Grand Rapids, received a 24-month prison sentence on November 17, 2025, after pleading guilty to two felony charges: threatening to kill or injure the president and vice president, and interstate threatening communications. The defendant, who is not related to Vice President JD Vance despite sharing his initials and last name, will also serve three years of supervised release following his prison term.
U.S. District Judge Paul Maloney of Kalamazoo handed down the sentence after Vance Jr. admitted to posting threatening messages on the BlueSky social media platform in March and April 2025 using the alias “Diaperjdv.” In total, the defendant threatened four individuals, including the president, vice president, Elon Musk and Donald Trump Jr.
The most alarming post came on April 1, when Vance Jr. wrote that if Trump, Vance or Musk came to his city again, “they will leave in a body bag.” He added that he would either be shot by a Secret Service sniper or spend the rest of his life in prison, stating he had only about 10 years of life left and didn’t care either way.
Federal prosecutors had initially sought a sentence between 30 and 37 months, arguing that Vance Jr. posed a genuine threat. In their sentencing memorandum, prosecutors noted that the defendant had posted a photo of a firearm on BlueSky in February, suggesting he was capable of acting on his threats.
Reports indicate each charge carried a maximum sentence of up to five years in prison and a fine of $250,000, if convicted. A grand jury indicted Vance Jr. in June 2025, and he pleaded guilty to both charges in July.
Court-appointed attorneys Sean Tilton and Helen Niewenhuis argued for a lighter sentence, noting their client’s lack of prior criminal history and personal circumstances. They explained that the 67-year-old had suffered mental abuse as a child and currently deals with other health issues. The defense team also argued that because the threats occurred online and no firearm was used in the commission of the crime, stricter sentencing guidelines should not apply.
U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Timothy VerHey emphasized the seriousness of online threats to democracy. “The advent of the internet gives us all an opportunity to engage in the healthy exchange of ideas that are so important to a democracy,” VerHey said in a statement. “But some would rather use this tool to threaten and intimidate, conduct that causes fear and damages our democratic ideals.”
He added that when Vance said he planned to kill the president and vice president simply because he disagreed with them, he crossed a line that required punishment.
William Shink, Special Agent in Charge of the Secret Service’s Detroit Field Office, reinforced the zero-tolerance approach to such threats. “Threats against our nation’s leaders and their families will not be tolerated,” Shink stated, adding that individuals who threaten Secret Service protectees will be investigated and held accountable.
This case represents the second incident within a month in the Western District of Michigan involving threats against President Trump. In October, Richard Spring of Comstock Park was sentenced to 18 months in prison for making threats against Trump on X and TikTok. Spring pleaded guilty to one count of threats to kill or injure the president.
The coincidence of the defendant sharing his name with one of his intended targets adds an unusual dimension to the case. The vice president, born James Donald Bowman, has undergone several name changes throughout his life due to his mother’s multiple marriages. As an adult, he chose to adopt his grandparents’ surname of Vance after graduating from Yale Law School.
Federal prosecutors treated the threats with utmost seriousness given the current climate of political tensions and concerns about violence against public officials. The Secret Service’s investigation demonstrated the government’s commitment to protecting elected leaders regardless of whether threats are made online or through traditional means.
Social media platforms have become increasingly scrutinized for their role in facilitating threats and violent rhetoric. BlueSky, the platform where Vance Jr. posted his threatening messages, is a decentralized social network that functions similarly to other microblogging platforms. Law enforcement agencies continue to monitor such platforms for credible threats against public figures.
The case serves as a reminder that online speech, while protected under the First Amendment in many contexts, does not shield individuals from prosecution when they make specific threats of violence against protected officials. Federal law provides enhanced penalties for threats against the president, vice president and their families, reflecting the unique security concerns surrounding these positions.
Vance Jr. will begin serving his sentence in federal prison, where he will have access to mental health services and other programs designed to address the underlying issues that may have contributed to his criminal behavior. Upon release, he will face three years of supervised monitoring to ensure compliance with federal law and prevent any recurrence of threatening behavior.
