Threats, racial slurs directed at Gov. Walker's son, now one man charged



MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Police say a Milwaukee man targeted Gov. Scott Walker's son -- and used Twitter as his weapon.

Officials say for close to a week this summer, 31-year-old Robert Peffer repeatedly sent obscene and abusive threats to Gov. Walker's oldest son, Matthew. He apparently hid behind the name "Prince Peffer Jr."

According to the criminal complaint, it all started on Matthew Walker's birthday. A message with a simple congratulations turned to obscenities. Police say Peffer sent 36 messages that were sexually graphic and threatening in nature. They were littered with racial slurs.

A court document shows one tweet read:

"I want to fight that (racial slur)...as soon as he's 18 yrs. old. I want to fight #Walker's #SON."


Another says in part:

"IM NOW #GOD...to Walker's son. He will stand with #PEFFER INSTEAD of @ScottWalker."


Peffer's Facebook page is filled with similar messages.

Robert Peffer



Police say the two men do not know each other. Walker reported the messages to police just days after they started appearing.

The governor's office has not responded to questions from FOX6 News about these particular threats. But in November 2013, Gov. Walker spoke about the threats he and his family received in the past targeting his wife and kids.

"For me, that was one of the few moments where my emotion really came through. I was pretty steady. I tried not to get caught up in this. I was angry. I was really pissed off, honestly," said Gov. Walker.

Peffer will appear in court next week. If convicted on the charges he faces, Peffer could face close to a year in prison.