Cape Cod Man Convicted After Threatening Social Media Comment

CAPE COD, MA — A Cape Cod man was convicted of threatening a state representative on social media, officials said.

James Spence, 63, of Dennis, was convicted on one count of threatening to commit arson. He was sentenced to six months in jail, but the sentence was suspended for 18 months.

Spence was also ordered to attend mental health counseling and have no contact with State Rep. Steve Xiarhos.

On Feb. 25, 2025, the Barnstable Police Department received information about a threatening post made by Spence on a social media page. The message to Representative Xiarhos from Spence was:

“Tell your tyrant to reel it in or the people will burn your house, office and tar and feather you in the streets of Hyannis. I will not support you or your Trumpism. This is a warning of what the people are saying.”

The Barnstable Police Department was able to determine through further investigation that the username and associated image connected to the message sent to Xiarhos were Spence. When the Barnstable Police Department spoke to Spence regarding the threatening message made towards Xiarhos, Spence admitted to making the threat.