A Pennsylvania man was taken into custody on Wednesday after reportedly issuing verbal antisemitic threats against Governor Josh Shapiro at the office of State Representative Leanne Kruger, Pennsylvania State Police said.

Richard John Franklin, 65, had gone to the district office seeking help with unpaid taxes.

While receiving assistance from a staff member, he began directing antisemitic slurs at Governor Shapiro and threatened to set fire to the governor's mansion, police said.

State troopers from the Political Violence Threat Unit later met with Franklin at his home, where he offered conflicting accounts of the office incident, CBS News reported.

Suspect tried to frame the threats as positive

Franklin admitted using an antisemitic slur but claimed his remarks about burning the governor's mansion were sympathetic and positive in nature because the governor and his family had survived a prior arson attack, according to the police report.

He was arrested and charged with terrorist threats, ethnic intimidation, harassment, and disorderly conduct.

Franklin was sent to Pennsylvania's Delaware County Prison after failing to post $100,000 bail and is scheduled for a preliminary hearing next week, CBS News reported.

Previous arson attack on Shapiro's home

Shapiro and his family survived an arson attack last year during Passover.

Their home was set ablaze overnight, forcing the family to evacuate.

The attack was reportedly motivated by Shapiro's perceived stance on Palestine.

The attacker, Cody Balmer, called 911 shortly after the early Sunday morning incident, identified himself, and said Shapiro needed to know he would not take part in plans affecting the Palestinian people, according to the police search warrant.