Park Rapids man accused of threats against lawmaker, state Capitol

John D. Tobias, 58, was arrested Tuesday in Hubbard County, according to a news release from the Hubbard County Sheriff’s Office.

Tobias is accused of making a threatening post on Facebook, according to the news release, and tagging District 17 state Sen. Glenn Gruenhagen, a Republican from Glencoe in southern Minnesota. The post demanded money lost during the COVID-19 shutdown and Tobias threatened to kill the senator, according to the sheriff’s office.

According to the statement of probable cause in the criminal complaint, Tobias also called the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office and said he wanted something done about DFL Gov. Tim Walz “unconstitutionally” shutting down the state due to COVID-19. The call was recorded.

“Tobias claimed that there was never any COVID, that he lost $1.4 million and said that if he didn’t get his money back he would ‘come down’ and ‘execute’” everyone at the Capitol, according to the criminal complaint.

A Hubbard County sheriff’s investigator obtained a search warrant for Tobias’ property, just outside of Park Rapids. According to the news release, deputies and the Lakes Area SWAT Team executed the warrant on Tuesday, taking Tobias into custody.

A search of the home turned up nine firearms, 45 boxes of ammunition of various calibers and two handgun magazines, according to the criminal complaint.

Tobias admitted to investigators that he sent the email and made the threatening phone call, according to the criminal complaint.

On Wednesday, Tobias was arraigned on two felony counts of making terroristic threats. Bail was set at $300,000 without conditions or $150,000 with conditions.

A review of Tobias’ criminal history reveals convictions for gross misdemeanor driving while intoxicated in 2013 and a misdemeanor domestic assault in 2010.

An initial court appearance is scheduled for Monday.