Affidavit details threats made by Omaha man toward governor’s family

An arrest warrant affidavit filed in Douglas County by a Nebraska State Patrol investigator details the threats made in late June toward Gov. Jim Pillen’s family.

The court document alleges 32-year-old Ean Halstead of Omaha left a message on the Columbus Catholic Schools website on June 29 that claimed he would kill the governor’s children and “a few nuns for … funsies.”

Court records show investigators attempted to confront Halstead near his home later that day, but he fled from them and barricaded himself inside the apartment he shares with his mom. Investigators were able to detain the two after securing an arrest warrant.

The affidavit said investigators searched Halstead’s home router to confirm it had been used to visit the Columbus Catholic Schools website. Law enforcement also connected several email addresses created by Halstead to the online threat.

Investigators also said a search of call records from Halstead’s phone number showed the phone was used to make eight outbound calls to a phone number affiliated with the governor’s office. Those calls were placed about seven minutes before the threat was made on the school’s website, according to the Nebraska State Patrol.

Investigators said Halstead had a “history of violent tendencies." A protection order was filed in June 2022 when an ex-boyfriend said Halstead “brandished a butcher’s knife [and] threatened to kill him and their dogs while they slept.” The report said Halstead chased the man for several blocks with the knife, and he texted the ex-boyfriend that he fantasized about killing him and his dogs, and lighting his bedroom on fire while recording it.

On Friday, the Nebraska State Patrol said investigators arrested Halstead, and the agency said he was medically cleared before being lodged in the Douglas County Jail.

After a news conference Monday morning, Pillen said he was grateful for the quick work by Nebraska State Patrol investigators, who were able to locate where the threat allegedly came from within several hours.

“That gives me and Suzanne and our family incredible comfort and peace,” Pillen said. “We’re trying all that we can to protect our babies. I mean, I got grandbabies that are going into fourth grade and freshmen, and you know, these are hard subjects to talk about.”

NSP Col. Bryan Waugh said the agency takes threats against schools seriously, and that the agency’s investigators “use every source available to protect students, staff and our communities.”

“This investigation reflects the importance of preparation, collaboration and the strong partnerships that allow swift and effective response to this type of incident. We are thankful for a safe outcome for all involved,” Waugh said.

The governor’s Chief of Staff Dave Lopez said "the heated political rhetoric that too often leads to radicalization and violence must cool off.”

In Halstead's first court appearance made Monday, the court set his bond at $1 million and set his preliminary hearing for Aug. 24. He faces two felony charges: terroristic threats and tampering with physical evidence.