Farmington man charged with making threats against presidential candidates on Facebook

            ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Steve Wayne Barton, 63, of Farmington, New Mexico, appeared in federal court in Albuquerque on Sept. 4 on charges of making repeated threats against President Donald Trump and presidential candidate Joe Biden.

            According to a federal criminal complaint, Barton allegedly posted several threatening messages on Facebook from April 19 through Aug. 19.  These messages threatened the two major presidential candidates and other elected officials.

            Barton is charged with one count each of threatening the president and threatening a major candidate for the office of president.  He is currently out of custody awaiting trial.  If convicted, Barton faces up to five years in prison for each count. 

            A criminal complaint is only an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

            The U.S. Secret Service investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Samuel A. Hurtado is prosecuting the case.