Iowan Accused of Sending Threatening Letter to Governor

Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad delivers his Condition of the State address before a joint session of the Iowa Legislature, Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2012, at the Statehouse in Des Moines, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

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By Rachel Begle

Story Created: Dec 11, 2012 at 7:00 AM CDT

Story Updated: Dec 11, 2012 at 7:28 AM CDT

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) - A 47-year-old Fort Dodge man has been charged with sending a threatening letter to Gov. Terry Branstad.

Jerry Springsteen was arrested Monday. A complaint filed in U.S. District Court says Springsteen sent the letter on Oct. 18. The complaint says the letter included a line that said Springsteen had "a clear shot" at the governor and said Branstad was a walking dead man.

Court documents say Springsteen told an investigator that he wrote the letter to get Branstad's attention. Asked about the "clear shot" comment, Springsteen told the investigator that he knew of a fire escape on a building near the governor's mansion where he could take a rifle shot at the governor.

Springsteen remains in custody. His lawyer didn't immediately return a call Tuesday from The Associated Press.