A Cincinnati man, identified as Anthony Kelly, faced federal charges over the weekend after allegedly issuing threats against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents and a federal official. Kelly, as reported by Local 12 News, was accused of making statements through social media that were interpreted as terroristic threats. Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs at the Department of Homeland Security, Tricia McLaughlin, stated that Kelly's threats included kidnapping, assault, and murder of a U.S. official. McLaughlin's announcement was accompanied by screen captures of the social media posts in question.
Detailing the incident, McLaughlin thanked law enforcement, stating, "These threats will not be tolerated. You will be arrested and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law," she said in a post. Kelley's aggressive posts on the social media platform Bluesky were pointedly disturbing. One read, "You come here for me, you're getting shot. I'm shooting for the kill. I won't give a f--- about your names, who you are or anything else," as captured by FOX19. In the threats, Kelly professed his intention to not just harm,, but to kill ICE agents if they approached him.
The gravity of the situation intensified following a search of Kelly's residence. Homeland Security officials uncovered a firearm and ammunition, WLWT reported. This evidence further substantiated the serious nature of the charges against Kelly. Detailed in a DHS post, confirming the retrieval of this potential evidence, highlighted the perceived risk and intent behind Kelly's threatening statements.
Subsequent to his arrest at 12:13 p.m., Kelly was booked into the Butler County Jail under charges denoted as "HOLD FOR FED." These charges reflect the federal level of the accusations and imply that federal authorities are maintaining custody. "The shotgun is being bought later on this week you're also invited b-----," according to LOCAL12 News, read another post responding to a discussion about DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, indicating further intentions by Kelly as per the social media captures shared by McLaughlin. Such statements have served to support the DHS's position on the zero-tolerance policy towards threats against its staff and operations.
