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Traverse City Man Charged for Allegedly Threatening to Kill Local Elected Official
October 14, 2026
LANSING — Edward Manseau, 57, of Traverse City, was arraigned on Friday, October 9th, in the 86th District Court in Traverse City on one count of Making a Terroristic Threat or False Report of Terrorism, a 20-year felony, announced Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel.
In August, Manseau allegedly told a social worker, employed by the Traverse City Police Department, that he wanted to hire someone to kill the locally elected County Prosecutor. He later, allegedly, claimed instead to want to take their life himself.
“The number of threats of violence made against elected officials are rising across the country and, sadly, local leaders, even prosecutors, are not immune to this disturbing trend,” said Attorney General Nessel. “These actions cause public servants to live in fear in their own communities for simply doing their job. These threats carry significant legal consequences and my department will continue to prosecute these offenses to the fullest extent of the law.”
Manseau will next appear before the 86th District Court for a probable cause conference on October 23rd. Preliminary examination is scheduled for October 30th.
This case is being prosecuted by the Hate Crimes and Domestic Terrorism Unit, launched by Attorney General Nessel in 2019. This Unit has taken on dozens of cases involving threats against elected officials at all levels throughout the state, from local officials to lawmakers and sitting judges. The Attorney General is urging residents to report threats, suspicious activity, and acts of bias-motivated violence to local law enforcement and the Unit.
To place a report, please contact your local police department first and then the Department of Attorney General via email. The Department of Attorney General will ensure every credible tip reaches the appropriate investigative agency, will launch independent investigations when sufficient cause exists, and will offer departmental resources to assist law enforcement partners.
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Please note: For all criminal proceedings, a criminal charge is merely an allegation. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. The Department does not provide booking photos.
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