Hubbard County man faces 3rd felony for alleged threats to MN lawmakers

PARK RAPIDS — A 58-year-old rural Park Rapids man already charged with two felony counts of terroristic threats against state lawmakers is now charged with a third.

In an amended criminal complaint filed Sunday, March 8, prosecutors now allege John Tobias threatened state Rep. Krista Knudsen, R-Lake Shore. Knudsen serves District 5A, which includes Park Rapids and portions of Becker, Cass, Hubbard and Wadena counties.

Following Tobias’ arraignment on Feb. 25, Knudsen gave a recorded statement to investigators. She said she began receiving correspondence from Tobias and his wife in 2023, and that the correspondence became increasingly hostile over time.

On Feb. 11, a person who identified themselves as John Tobias left a voicemail with Knudsen’s legislative assistant, stating in part:

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Hubbard County Sheriff's Office

"If I don't get my money back by the end of this week I'm gonna come find all of you and kill every one of you f***ers for treason, crimes against humanity, fraud, theft, ah, the list goes on and on. Every motherf***** in this government is f***ing dead when I'm f***ing through."

Tobias was initially charged following an investigation by Minnesota Capitol Police and the Hubbard County Sheriff’s Office on Feb. 24. Investigators determined Tobias made a threatening Facebook post to Republican state Sen. Glenn Gruenhagen and made a threatening phone call to the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office, where he threatened to “execute” everyone in the state’s Capitol buildings.

In the threats, Tobias claimed the COVID-19 pandemic-related shutdowns were unconstitutional and cost him $1.4 million. In a search warrant of Tobias’ residence, the Hubbard County Sheriff’s Office seized nine firearms and 45 boxes of ammunition.

Tobias is currently out of jail on a $150,000 bond, and his next court appearance is June 1.