A Michigan man has been sentenced to 10 months in prison following serious online threats targeting Governor Gretchen Whitmer and shareholders of DTE Energy Corporation. The sentencing, announced on February 13, was led by United States Attorney Jerome F. Gorgon and Jennifer Runyan, the special agent in charge of the FBI Detroit Field Office.
In January 2025, Steven Conway made calls to DTE Energy’s Milwaukee call center, where he threatened to “hunt down” and “target for assassination” both shareholders and members of the energy company. Shortly thereafter, he posted additional threats online, specifically targeting Governor Whitmer by stating she was marked for assassination.
This case is particularly concerning given Conway’s criminal history, which includes a prior conviction for threatening to kill a judge and police officers in Macomb County. U.S. District Court Judge Robert J. White sentenced Conway to serve 10 months in prison, which will be followed by a two-year term of supervised release due to his guilty plea on two counts of communicating interstate threats.
In response to the alarming nature of the threats, Gorgon emphasized that threats against public officials and citizens undermine the rule of law, affirming the commitment to protect both public servants and the community at large. “Threats of political violence and retribution are an attack on the rule of law,” he stated.
The investigation was undertaken by the FBI’s joint terrorism taskforce, in collaboration with multiple law enforcement agencies, including Task Force Officers from the Macomb County Sheriff’s Office and other local police departments. Prosecutors Stephen Carr and Catherine Morris highlighted the severe nature of such threats, noting that the FBI will take decisive action against any intimidation attempts made through online platforms.
Governor Whitmer has faced various threats since she took office in 2019. Notable incidents included a failed kidnapping plot in 2020 that led to 14 arrests. Those responsible for that plot received substantial sentences, with one man receiving nearly 20 years in prison.
The ongoing situation illustrates the serious ramifications of threats against public officials and underscores the necessity of vigilance and legal action to ensure public safety. While the legal system takes action in cases like this, it serves as a reminder of the importance of upholding civility in political discourse to maintain a peaceful society.