Tomah man found guilty of threatening to assassinate president

Told guard and wrote on Facebook
he would “take him out”

MADISON – When Barack Obama came to La Crosse in July, Brian Dutcher wrote on Facebook and told a security guard that he planned to assassinate the president.

Threatening the president is a federal crime and Tuesday, in front of a jury of seven men and five woman who deliberated for over four hours, the Tomah, Wis., man was convicted of two counts of making threats against Obama.

On July 1, Dutcher told a guard at the La Crosse Public Library, “the usurper is here, and if I get a chance, I’ll take him out and I’ll take the shot.”

On Facebook, the 55-year-old Dutcher wrote, “That’s it! I will be in La Crosse. Hopefully I will get a clear shot at the pretend president. Killing him is our CONSTITUTIONAL DUTY!”

His lawyer said the remarks were not serious, arguing he didn’t make a true threat against the president. He said them out in the open, “careless talk” and “obvious political exaggeration.”

Police found arrows and a sling shot in his van, and Dutcher’s lawyer argued, “Are we dealing with Bart Simpson or are we dealing with a federal case?”

The president was in town July 3.

Dutcher didn’t testify. Each charge carries a prison sentence up to five years. He’ll be sentenced March 15.