Federal prosecutors in Oklahoma have charged a 46-year-old Midwest City man over a social media post that investigators say crossed the line from trash talk into a criminal threat against President Donald Trump.
According to prosecutors, the message, posted on May 5, read, "i'm going to kill the president…" and was serious enough in context that a federal grand jury indicted the poster on a charge alleging a true threat rather than protected political speech.
As reported by News 9, the indictment identifies the defendant as 46-year-old Howard Gimmey of Midwest City and states that U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester announced the charges. Prosecutors say the indictment alleges Gimmey "willfully made the communication and acted with recklessness as to whether it would be viewed as a true threat of violence against the president." In other words, they contend this was not just an offhand online rant.
Charges and Possible Penalties
Gimmey is charged under the federal statute that criminalizes threats against the president. If convicted, the charge carries a potential sentence of up to five years in prison and a fine of as much as $250,000, per 18 U.S.C. § 871. The Department of Justice says a federal grand jury returned the indictment after investigators reviewed the post and related material.
How Prosecutors Evaluate Online Threats
To secure a conviction in a case like this, prosecutors must show that a reasonable person would see the message as a true threat, not just overheated political rhetoric. Courts typically look at the full context of the post, the history of the account that posted it, and any signs of planning or capability behind the words.
Investigations into alleged threats against the president usually involve the FBI and the U.S. Secret Service, working with local law enforcement to decide whether an online message reflects an actual risk or just reckless typing.
Next Steps in the Case
The case is moving forward in federal court in the Western District of Oklahoma. Upcoming stages such as arraignment and future hearings will appear in court filings as the case progresses.
The U.S. Attorney's Office is handling the prosecution, and additional details are expected to surface through public records and official statements as the federal case against Gimmey develops.
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