Class X felony charge filed against man accused of sending threatening email to Illinois legislator

By Editor | March 19, 2026 |

Frymire

Madison County State’s Attorney Tom Haine announced on March 19 that his office has filed felony charges against a Wood River man who allegedly sent an email to an Illinois legislator, in which he threatened to kill the lawmaker, police officers and members of the government.

Spencer G. Frymire, D.O.B. 11/6/2002, is charged with:

Count 1: Making A Terrorist Threat (class X felony)
Count 2: Electronic Harassment (class 4 felony)

Count 1 alleges the defendant sent an email to the lawmaker on Saturday, March 14, stating he intended to start killing cops and local government.
Count 2 alleges the defendant, in the same email, threatened to kill the legislator.

The defendant was taken into custody by Wood River Police on Tuesday morning and remained in custody as of Thursday afternoon. Haine’s office has filed a Petition to Deny Pretrial release, arguing the defendant should remain in custody while awaiting trial because he poses a threat.

Circuit Judge Tim Berkley remanded the defendant to the Madison County Jail until a hearing on the state’s Detention Petition.

The investigation was led by Wood River Police Department with assistance from other agencies, including Illinois State Police. Haine commended Wood River Chief Brad Wells, Detective Sgt. Brent Rombach and Sgt. Evan Ford for their work in the investigation.

“Threats to commit violence are never acceptable,” Haine said. “Our office treats them with the gravity they deserve.”