Federal agents say a Brooklyn man took his grievances all the way to the top by typing them into the White House's own "Contact Us" page, then allegedly turning that online form into a vehicle for graphic threats to kill former President Donald Trump at a future public event.
Prosecutors say the messages were explicit enough that agents moved quickly. They confronted the suspect outside his Brooklyn home, where he allegedly admitted sending the threats, and a federal judge has since ordered him held in custody while the case moves forward.
According to federal prosecutors, the defendant is 53-year-old Justin Christopher Moore. In a series of messages submitted on May 24, Moore allegedly wrote, "I am in the process of planning your execution" and vowed to "put a bullet in your brain," among other threats, according to a federal criminal complaint reported by Law&Crime. Prosecutors say Moore included his own name, address, email and phone number in the submission, which allowed investigators to track him down quickly.
Federal agents say they went to Moore's Brooklyn residence on May 25 and saw him walking outside. When an agent asked if he had sent the threatening messages, Moore allegedly replied, "Yeah, I did." Court filings cited by Shore News Network state that Moore also admitted threatening Vice President J.D. Vance and "about 18 reps," and told agents he "hasn't started the planning process yet."
Judge Orders Detention, Hearing Scheduled
At a May 26 arraignment, a federal judge ordered Moore detained pending trial, finding that his release would pose a "serious danger" to others. The court cited what it described as strong government evidence, Moore's limited ties to the community and his lack of stable employment, according to court records and reporting by Law&Crime.
Moore is scheduled to return to federal court next Tuesday for a preliminary hearing. Prosecutors are expected to outline the evidence supporting the allegation that he "knowingly and willfully" threatened the life of the President.
What the Law Says
Threatening the President is a federal crime under 18 U.S.C. § 871 and carries a maximum sentence of up to five years in prison, according to Cornell Law School. Prosecutors can also bring charges related to threats transmitted in interstate commerce where the facts fit those statutes.
Court filings and reporting describe Moore as having a history of bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, which his defense may raise in court, according to Shore News Network. Prosecutors have told the court they are not alleging that Moore possessed a weapon or took concrete steps to carry out an attack, a detail noted by outlets covering the complaint, including IBTimes.
Moore remains in federal custody. His preliminary hearing is set for next Tuesday, June 9, and the case will proceed in the Eastern District of New York as those hearings unfold.
