Tioga County man charged with sending death threat to state lawmaker

A Tioga County man is charged with sending death threats to the office of a state representative.

Timothy D. Geisler of Mansfield was being held Tuesday in Tioga County Prison on a misdemeanor charge of making terroristic threats with the intent to intimidate. 

His arrest stems from a series of rambling, politically charged emails state police say he sent since June to the district office of Rep. Jamie Walsh, a Luzerne County Republican, according to court documents.

They culminated with an Oct. 1 message in which Geisler allegedly made specific threats against Walsh and his family, a criminal complaint charging Geisler says. 

The complaint notes the Pennsylvania State Police Political Violence Threat Unit also received notifications that Geisler left voicemails at Gov. Josh Shapiro’s office containing non-specific threats.

Walsh issued a statement Monday expressing gratitude to law enforcement for efforts to ensure his safety and that of his family and legislative staff. 

“Threats and intimidation have no place in our democracy. No public servant, family member or staff member should have to fear for their safety for serving their community,” Walsh said. “Political disagreements are to be expected but must never escalate into threats of violence or attempts to intimidate those who serve the public.”

According to the complaint against Geisler, a member of Walsh’s staff began receiving “rambling, somewhat unhinged and political based” emails in June. The staff member initially replied with advice to contact his federal representatives for help with the issues raised.

After subsequent emails, the office of counsel for the House Republican Caucus contacted Mansfield borough police and requested a welfare check and for Geisler to stop emailing.

On Oct. 1, Walsh’s staff received an email from Geisler that accused Walsh “rigging another election,” and warning “now you’re gonna f****** die.”

Geisler is being held in lieu of $100,000 bail, according to court documents.

The charge is the latest criminal case stemming from a series of threats against Pennsylvania elected officials. 

In May, Adam G. Berryhill, 43, of Lebanon was charged with making terroristic threats targeting state House Speaker Joanna McClinton of Philadelphia, House Judiciary Committee Chairman Tim Briggs of Montgomery County, Government Oversight Committee Chairwoman Morgan Cephas of Philadelphia and Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta of Philadelphia, all of whom are Democrats. 

Last October, a Harrisburg man pleaded guilty to attempted murder, arson and dozens of other charges, admitting he firebombed the governor’s official residence as Shapiro and his family slept inside. 

Cody Balmer, 38, who confessed to police when he was arrested hours after starting the fire on April 13, 2025, said that he disagreed with Shapiro’s position on the Israeli response to the Oct. 7, 2023, attack by the Palestinian militant group Hamas. Balmer is serving a 25 to 50 year prison sentence.

Last year, former Pennsylvania House Speaker Mark Rozzi (D-Berks) told the Capital-Star he resorted to wearing a bulletproof vest for several months after facing a stalker with a history of unusual behavior, including a statement that he was willing to “die in combat.” Rozzi said the incident contributed to his decision to retire from politics. 

The Exeter Township man who faced misdemeanor charges for harassing Rozzi and his then-girlfriend died before the case was set to go to trial last year, Berks County District Attorney John Adams said.