Bartender accused of plan to poison Boehner

Emilie Eaton | The Cincinnati Enquirer

Show Caption Hide Caption Ohio bartender accused of threat to kill Boehner An Ohio bartender with a history of psychiatric illness was indicted last week on a charge of threatening to murder House Speaker John Boehner, possibly by poisoning his drink, according to records made available Tuesday. (Jan. 14)

CINCINNATI — A federal grand jury has indicted an Ohio man on charges of trying to poison House Speaker John Boehner.

Michael Hoyt of Deer Park called 911 in October and told dispatchers that he had wanted to poison Boehner, R-Ohio, at the Wetherington Country Club in West Chester, where Hoyt was a bartender, according to court documents. Hoyt was indicted Jan. 7.

Officers from the Deer Park Police Department met with Hoyt, who told officers that he was Jesus Christ and was going to kill Boehner because the speaker was "mean" to him at the country club. Hoyt then told officers that he had a gun, and he planned to shoot Boehner and take off, according to the documents.

Hoyt was voluntarily taken to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center for a psychiatric evaluation at the time.

The U.S. Capitol Police continued investigating the incident, meeting with Hoyt at the hospital, where he told officers that he lost his job at the country club a week before because Boehner and other members got him fired. Hoyt's supervisor, however, cites an attitude problem and several members' complaints as the cause of his termination.

"Hoyt has imagined and believes John Boehner is the devil, and Hoyt believes he is Jesus Christ," Chistopher Desrosiers, a special agent with the Capitol Police, said in the court documents. "Hoyt also believes Boehner is responsible for the Ebola virus."

Capitol Police and an FBI officer met with Boehner's wife in late October about Hoyt. She told them that Hoyt had sent her an e-mail, asking to meet with Boehner to discuss his termination at the country club.

Agents later met with Boehner, who told them that he didn't remember any negative interactions with Hoyt, according to the court documents.

Court documents also reveal that Hoyt was treated for a "psychotic episode" two years ago.

A spokesman for Boehner, Michael Steel, said the speaker is "aware of the situation and sincerely thanks the FBI, the Capitol Police and the local authorities in Ohio for their efforts."

Hoyt is currently being held for a court-ordered mental treatment, but the hospital could release him at any time, according to court documents.

Contributing: The Associated Press