PORTLAND, Ore. — A Woodburn man has pleaded guilty in federal court to threatening to kill a United States senator, federal prosecutors announced.
Donald Leroy Smith Jr., 51, entered a guilty plea Wednesday to one count of retaliating against a federal official by threat.
According to court documents, Smith left a voicemail for a U.S. senator on Nov. 12, 2025, in which he allegedly threatened the lawmaker’s life. Prosecutors said Smith stated he was “coming to kill you,” that “you need to be dead,” and that he intended to “put a bullet in your head.”
Federal authorities charged Smith by information on March 19, 2026, with threatening a federal official.
Under federal law, Smith faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and three years of supervised release. Sentencing is scheduled for Aug. 26, 2026, before a U.S. District Court judge.
As part of his plea agreement, Smith has agreed to pay full restitution.
U.S. Attorney Scott E. Bradford announced the guilty plea.
The investigation was led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with assistance from the United States Capitol Police, United States Secret Service, United States Postal Inspection Service, Oregon State Police, and Woodburn Police Department.
The case is being prosecuted by First Assistant U.S. Attorney William M. Narus and Assistant U.S. Attorney James A. Kilcup.
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