Pennsylvania Man Charged With Making Terroristic Threats Against State Legislators
Adam Berryhill, a 42-year-old resident of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, faces charges of making terroristic threats after allegedly posting a “hit list” of Democratic state lawmakers on his X account. According to the Pennsylvania State Police, the investigation identified 20 victims, all of whom serve as Democratic members of the Pennsylvania General Assembly, including House Speaker Joanna McClinton.
How the Investigation Began
The investigation into Berryhill’s online activity started on April 28, 2026. A state trooper, who was performing routine security checks on Speaker McClinton, discovered concerning posts on an X account operating under the name “Pennsylvania Militia,” according to the criminal complaint.
The posts, which occurred between April 7 and April 22, 2026, included explicit threats against elected officials. In one instance, the account posted, “I’ll approach every legal avenue and when they all fail I start shootings,” followed by a list of 18 names. On April 12, the account referenced a “Memorial Day Operation.” By April 22, the account posted another list featuring four officials, whom the author labeled as “gun grabbing communists.”
Evidence Cited by State Police
The Pennsylvania State Police incident report notes that the account shared a photograph of a firearm alongside the threatening language. The criminal complaint details that the content specifically targeted Democratic members of the state legislature. Following the investigation, Berryhill was taken into custody and appeared at the Lebanon County courthouse on May 14, 2026, to face the charges.
Legal Context of the Charges
The charges against Berryhill fall under the category of terroristic threats, a serious offense in Pennsylvania involving the communication of a threat to commit a crime of violence with the intent to terrorize another. While the investigation remains centered on the posts made via social media, the inclusion of specific names and the mention of a planned “operation” led law enforcement to prioritize the safety of the 20 identified legislators.
Key Details of the Case
* Defendant: Adam Berryhill, 42, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania.
* Targeted Individuals: 20 Democratic members of the Pennsylvania General Assembly.
* Primary Evidence: A series of posts on X (formerly Twitter) under the account name “Pennsylvania Militia” between April 7 and April 22, 2026.
* Key Law Enforcement Agency: Pennsylvania State Police.
* Date of Court Appearance: May 14, 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who were the primary targets of the alleged threats?
According to the Pennsylvania State Police, the 20 identified victims are all Democratic members of the Pennsylvania General Assembly, including House Speaker Joanna McClinton.
What specific actions were threatened?
The criminal complaint alleges that the account threatened to “start shooting” multiple elected officials and referenced a planned “Memorial Day Operation.”
How did authorities discover the threats?
A state trooper assigned to conduct security and safety checks on Speaker McClinton discovered the posts while monitoring social media for potential threats against state legislators.