By Trendsetter Tribune 
A 28-year-old Indianapolis woman faces federal charges after allegedly sending violent death threats to a federal official’s campaign phone and email, according to court records.
Federal authorities are taking an increasingly aggressive stance against threats targeting public officials, particularly amid heightened political tensions nationwide. A new case out of Indiana highlights how online and electronic threats can quickly escalate into serious federal charges carrying long prison sentences.
What Happened
According to federal court documents, 28-year-old Shalya Addison of Indianapolis has been charged with two counts of influencing a federal official by threat.
Prosecutors allege that on January 15, 2025, at approximately 8:53 a.m., Addison sent five threatening text messages to a campaign phone number belonging to a federal representative. The official’s name has not been released.
The messages allegedly contained explicit death threats, including statements such as:
- “Come outside b**** we’ll kill you”
- “Tread lightly”
Minutes later, investigators say Addison sent additional messages to the representative’s campaign email address, again threatening violence.
“We will kill you and blow that whole building up b**** come outside,” one of the messages stated, according to court filings.
Federal Charges and Potential Penalties
The charges were announced by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Indiana. If convicted, Addison faces up to 10 years in federal prison.
Federal law treats threats against public officials—particularly those involving death or mass violence—as serious offenses, regardless of whether the sender had the immediate ability to carry them out.
Prior Criminal History
Court records show Addison has a documented history of intimidation-related offenses.
- In March 2020, she was convicted in Hendricks County of:
- Misdemeanor intimidation, involving threats made in retaliation for a prior lawful act
- Misdemeanor invasion of privacy for violating a no-contact order
- In January 2024, Addison pleaded guilty to felony intimidation.
That conviction stemmed from a 2023 incident in which authorities say she poured gasoline on a family member’s front door and threatened “to burn the house down.”
Broader Context: Threats Against Officials
Federal prosecutors have repeatedly warned that threats made through text messages, emails, or social media are treated no differently than in-person threats. Campaign offices, even when separate from government buildings, are considered protected targets when tied to federal officials.
Legal experts note that prosecutors often rely on prior convictions to argue that threats were intentional and credible, a factor that can significantly influence sentencing if a defendant is convicted.
What Comes Next
Addison is expected to make her initial appearance in federal court in Indiana. A judge will determine whether she remains in custody as the case proceeds.
The investigation remains ongoing, and officials have not disclosed whether the threats prompted changes to security measures for the targeted representative.
Conclusion
The case underscores how rapidly threatening language—especially when directed at public officials—can lead to severe federal consequences. With a documented history of intimidation and violence-related convictions, prosecutors say Addison now faces significant prison time if found guilty.
As political tensions remain high nationwide, federal authorities continue to signal that threats, even those sent digitally, will be prosecuted aggressively.