INDIANAPOLIS -- The Indiana State Police says messages containing what GOP delegates interpreted as threats from Trump supporters don't rise to the level of being criminal.
Indiana State Police Captain Dave Bursten says they have reviewed a handful of messages and that "free speech is free speech."
Some of Indiana's GOP delegates say they've been receiving threats – and they say they're coming from Donald Trump supporters.
One of those delegates, Tom John of Indianapolis, says he's received threats referencing his family. And he says he isn't alone.
John, the Indiana Republican Party's 7th District committee chairman, says he received this email over the weekend:
"Hope the family is well. Your name and info has been given to me – on a list that is about to go public. Good luck becoming a delegate. We are watching you."
"They have been very spooky, very personal, referencing things about my family, about things I have said on social media," John said. "One of my colleagues, they referenced home renovations."
John says he's heard of a half-dozen other delegates who have received threatening messages – supposedly from supporters of Donald Trump.
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The threats come after John was quoted in a Politico article alleging he and other Republican delegates are lining up against the front-runner.
John says support for Trump hasn't played a role in any discussions he's been involved in.
"We are looking for people who are known quantities to the parties, and known thoughtful people, who can go and when those hard decisions are being made, people who Hoosiers can trust to do the right thing by our state and by our country," John said.
Representatives for Trump's campaign in Indiana denounced the threats, saying they are not affiliated with the official organization.
"It's deplorable. We condemn it," said Trump Indiana Campaign Vice Chairman Tony Samuel. "There should be no types of threats or intimidation. The best type of thing for Trump supporters to do if they disagree with what might be happening with some members of the state Republican Party is get out and vote on May 3."
The Republican State Committee selected 27 delegates last weekend. It's scheduled to pick another 27 on Wednesday.
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