Secretary of State Frank LaRose issues statement on guilty plea by Ronald Lidderdale

Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose issued the following statement on the guilty plea filed today in federal court by Ronald Lidderdale, a New Albany man who sent 92 threatening communications targeting more than 30 public officials:
 
“I’m grateful for the work of federal law enforcement and prosecutors to bring justice in this case. At a time of growing concern about the safety of public officials, we need to send a clear message that threats and acts of violence will not be tolerated. This person targeted my family, stoked fear in our community and drained the valuable resources of our first responders who had to process his tainted letters and investigate his taunting death threats.
 
We live in a cauldron of toxic social media, shrill partisan rhetoric and often-unfiltered hate speech that consumes our influencer-driven culture. It’s inciting people who are unwell to commit acts of violence, and it must stop. I call on all public leaders, regardless of party, to lead by example and clearly denounce the vitriol that too often corrupts our speech. We are better than this.”
 
Background: Ronald E. Lidderdale pleaded guilty today in the United States District Court Southern District of Ohio to 31 counts of federal crimes, including mailing threatening communications, transmitting threatening communications in interstate commerce, false information and hoaxes and cyberstalking.
 
On December 15, 2024, law enforcement and hazmat units were called to the LaRose home after Secretary LaRose opened a letter containing a powdery substance and making direct threats to his life, stating, “I have no other decision but to kill you to make certain evil does not spread… a cleansing that will be anointed(sp) by your blood spilled upon the floor. … Be warned I am coming for you.” After evacuating his family to a neighbor’s home, a hazmat team cleared the threat hours later. Secretary LaRose received numerous threatening mailed letters and electronic communications from Lidderdale between July of 2024 and April of 2025. More than 30 public officials received similar threats.