-
Leblanc
A man accused of threatening Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan was indicted by a Jefferson County grand jury on Feb. 21.
Daniel Troy Leblanc, 44, of Orange, was charged with terroristic threat of a public servant, a third-degree felony, according to court documents.
Jan. 15, following an investigation, special agents from the Texas Department of Public Safety’s (DPS) Criminal Investigations Division arrested Leblanc for suspicion of making terroristic threats against Phelan on social media. Leblanc was transported to the Jefferson County Correctional Facility on Jan. 17 under a $500,000 bond set by set by Justice of the Peace Ben Collins Sr., who also ordered that, if Leblanc posts bond, he must avoid all contact with Phelan and wear a GPS ankle monitor.
Leblanc was still in custody as of press time.
Court documents charging Leblanc indicate that the accused, “intentionally and knowingly made terroristic threats to the conduct or activities of a branch or agency of the federal government, the state, or a political subdivision of the state.”
Jan. 14, Leblanc, under the username D.T. Lbc, posted a message to the Southeast Texas representative on his Facebook page: “And Ain’t NOBODY protecting these Kids and GIVING THEM A VOICE... I AM..RIGHT NOW...ONE SHOT...ONE KILL....2500M AWAY...0230...IN YOUR RIGHT TEMPLE TAKING OUT THAT AI MUSKY GYM SOCK SMELLY CAT SOCK DARK HOLE RA MIND YOU HIDE WITHIN... FATHER KNOW YOUR NEXT 12 Moves, The CHRIST KEEPING ME 9 AHEAD WITH THIS BREATH...Come at me... let's get this ASS WHOPPING over with Baphomet Cowardice, you just act as if like Victoria you convinced...sicko.”
Phelan staff members, concerned for the Speaker of the House’s safety, notified DPS about Leblanc’s post, according to Special Agent Matthew Cryer.
This is not the first time Leblanc has been accused of terrorizing public servants. According to court records, in March 2023, DPS Criminal Investigations Division (CID) Lt. Adam Park became involved in a threat to life investigation involving Leblanc.
Park reported that he received intelligence that Leblanc had arrived at the Jefferson County Courthouse for a child support hearing wearing a 9mm pistol; a .357-magnum pistol was discovered in Leblanc’s vehicle. Pursuant to the March 2023 incident, Leblanc was arrested for a bond forfeiture and Jefferson County Mental Health deputies served an emergency detention order to evaluate Leblanc’s mental health.