A Cincinnati resident faces federal charges after allegedly making violent threats on social media targeting Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents and a high-ranking Department of Homeland Security official.

According to Breitbart, Anthony Kelly was taken into federal custody following an investigation into his threatening social media posts. Federal authorities conducted a search of his residence, where they discovered firearms and ammunition.

DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin shared screenshots of Kelly's alleged posts, which included explicit threats against ICE agents. The posts contained menacing language directed at federal officials, including a specific threat targeting DHS Secretary Kristi Noem.

Rising Pattern of Threats Against Federal Agents

This incident occurs amid an alarming surge in violence against immigration enforcement personnel. ICE agents have experienced a 500 percent increase in assaults while conducting their duties across the country, according to recent DHS data.

In a separate but related case, a San Antonio City Council candidate recently made headlines for allegedly calling for violence against ICE agents in Los Angeles. The individual, identified as a Democratic political consultant, faces similar scrutiny for inflammatory rhetoric.

Law enforcement officials emphasize their commitment to investigating and prosecuting threats against federal agents. The combination of online threats and physical confrontations has created heightened concern for officer safety.

Federal Response to Escalating Violence

HSI Cincinnati played a crucial role in the investigation, leading to Kelly's arrest. The discovery of weapons at his residence has added weight to the severity of the threats.

Assistant Secretary McLaughlin issued a stern warning about the consequences of threatening federal officials. She emphasized that such behavior would result in arrest and prosecution to the fullest extent of the law.

The Department of Homeland Security maintains a zero-tolerance policy for threats against its personnel. This stance reflects the agency's commitment to protecting its workforce while carrying out immigration enforcement duties.

Similar Cases Emerge Nationwide

A recent case in Jamestown, New York, mirrors the Cincinnati incident. Matthew White, 43, faces charges for allegedly threatening to murder an ICE agent and the agent's children.

ICE official Erin Keegan condemned the threats, emphasizing that such behavior has no place in society. The statement specifically addressed the targeting of law enforcement officers and their families.

These cases represent a troubling trend of increasing hostility toward immigration enforcement personnel. Federal prosecutors are actively pursuing cases involving threats against ICE agents across multiple jurisdictions.

Federal Prosecution Moves Forward

Anthony Kelly's case will proceed through the federal court system, where he faces serious charges related to threatening federal officials. The charges include threats to assault, kidnap, and murder a United States official.

The presence of weapons at Kelly's residence has strengthened the prosecution's position regarding the credibility of the threats. Federal authorities continue to investigate any potential connections to broader patterns of organized threats against law enforcement.

Law enforcement officials stress that online threats against federal agents will be treated with the same severity as physical confrontations. The case highlights the growing intersection between social media activity and federal law enforcement concerns.