Expatriate pleads guilty to threatening to kill Sen. Thom Tillis and staff in NC

Danielle Battaglia, McClatchy Washington Bureau on Apr 10, 2025

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WASHINGTON — An American living in Thailand pleaded guilty Wednesday to threatening to kill Sen. Thom Tillis and his staff by putting a bullet in their heads and cutting off their hands.

What set him off? Too many unsolicited political emails.

Eric Charles Welton, 53, pleaded guilty to one count of threatening a federal official on account of his duties, a news release from U.S. Department of Justice announced.

Welton, who will be sentenced in July, faces up to 10 years in federal prison.

Justice Department officials said Welton made multiple harassing and intimidating phone calls to the offices of Republican elected officials and party organizers in the United States.

In September 2021, he spoke to a member of Tillis’ Raleigh staff and threatened to “show up” and “put a bullet through each of [their heads].” He also threatened to “mow down” the “whole [expletive] state” and “find the person who emailed him and cut off their hands,” officials said.

“Threatening to kill a public official and his staff is not only despicable, but also an affront to our democratic system of government,” said Daniel Bubar, acting U.S. attorney. “Our office will continue to work closely with our law enforcement partners to investigate and prosecute threats or intimidation against public officials, so they can properly carry our their important duties.”

News of Welton’s conviction comes as Tillis has faced a bevy of threats from across the country in recent weeks for decisions he’s made as the Trump administration has taken office.

Tillis released a series of several audio files of the threats, and promised to seek charges against anyone who threatens him.

“It is unacceptable to make violent threats against anyone,” said Robert DeWitt, special agent in charge of FBI in North Carolina, in a news release about Welton’s conviction. “But when threats are directed at elected officials, it can impact their ability to effectively serve their constituents and their country. The FBI will not tolerate this type of intimidation for any reason especially when it comes to those who help run our democracy.”

Tillis thanked law enforcement for their work on the case in a statement Thursday.

“In an era of unprecedented threats against elected officials and public servants, it is more important than ever to ensure that those who seek to intimidate or harm through threats are held fully accountable,” his office said in the statement.