Widower pleads guilty to threatening Obama

BILLINGS – A 50-year-old Billings man has pleaded guilty to making threats against the president, whom he felt was somehow responsible for his wife’s death.

The U.S. attorney’s office said John Paul Sigl entered his plea Wednesday before U.S. District Judge Jack Shanstrom. Sentencing is set for Aug. 7. He remains in custody.

Prosecutors say Sigl called 911 in Billings on April 19, 2012, and made a threat against President Barack Obama.

A Secret Service agent interviewed Sigl five days later. Court records say Sigl told the agent that side effects of medication killed his wife in 2009. Sigl said at least 20 times that “the politicians and the president” must die because they were responsible for allowing the doctors to kill his wife. He said his threats should be taken seriously.