Tomah man charged with threatening to kill president

A Tomah man was formally charged last week with threatening the president, according to a release.

Brian Dutcher, 55, reportedly went to La Crosse July 1. President Barack Obama was scheduled to make a speech in La Crosse the next day, officials said.

A criminal complaint alleges that on July 1 Dutcher approached a security guard at the La Crosse Public Library and said he knew the president was in town and that he would shoot the president if given the opportunity.

The complaint also alleges Dutcher repeated the same statement to special agents with the U.S. Secret Service July 1.

Dutcher also posted “Thursday I will be in La Crosse. Hopefully I get a clear shot at the pretend president. Killing him is our CONSTITUTIONAL DUTY!” on his Facebook page June 30, according to the complaint.

Dutcher appeared in federal court in Madison Tuesday. A detention hearing is set for Thursday.