NORFOLK, Va. (WVEC) -- A man from Virginia Beach who is accused of threatening to kill Congressman Scott Taylor appeared in federal court for arraignment Friday afternoon.
Prosecutors said 69-year-old Wallace Grove Godwin visited Taylor's office in Virginia Beach on Thursday.
After apparently becoming frustrated during a discussion about marijuana policy, Godwin allegedly said, "Scott is having an event this Saturday. I am going to get my shotgun and do something about this. I will just handle this myself."
Godwin then allegedly pointed at two staffers in the room and stated, "You two are next."
Taylor was not present at the time.
According to court documents, Godwin has had two interactions with Taylor in 2017, one outside Taylor's private residence, and another incident at the Virginia Beach office where he yelled at Congressional staff members.
Godwin has been charged with threatening to murder and assault a United States official and could face up to 10 years in prison if convicted.
He has a preliminary hearing scheduled for Tuesday.
13News Now went to Godwin's neighborhood and attempted to speak with family members. They refused to open the door, but a neighbor spoke.
“I know them. I’m not friends with them, the wife is wonderful, but he is crazy,” said Rhonda Solomon.
Solomon has lived across the street from the Godwins for the past 15 years, and learned about Godwin's arrest from 13News Now reporter Robert Boyd.
Solomon admitted she wasn’t completely surprised.
“I’ve heard horrible stories about him,” said Solomon.
Solomon said she had her own run-in with Godwin a few years earlier after she told his teenage son to stop riding his dirt bike in the street.
“He came after me and tried to attack me in my yard once,” said Solomon. “My son stopped him, my older son stopped him.”
Another neighbor, Marvin Hall, said he feels bad for Godwin. He said his neighbor was probably in need of serious mental help and unfortunately never got it.
“I’m not a doctor, and I’ve never met him, so I don’t know if he has a mental illness or not but I don’t see people really acting that way without having some issue,” said Hall.
Congressman Taylor, a Republican representing Virginia's 2nd District which includes Virginia Beach and part of the Eastern Shore, is serving his first term in Congress.
Wallace Grove Godwin Affidavit by 13News Now on Scribd
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