Ohio man arrested for threatening to murder ICE agents

In the United States, an Ohio man named Anthony Kelly was apprehended by federal authorities for making terroristic threats against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials. The arrest occurred recently and followed a series of alarming social media posts made by Kelly, wherein he threatened violence against ICE agents and a federal official. The Department of Homeland Security, underlining the severity of such threats, announced Kelly would face federal charges, including making plans to kidnap, assault, and murder a U.S. official, as confirmed by Tricia McLaughlin, an assistant secretary for public affairs at DHS. As part of the investigation, law enforcement conducted a search of Kelly's residence in Cincinnati, where they discovered a firearm and ammunition. The social media posts attributed to Kelly contained explicit threats to shoot and kill ICE officials, indicating a clear intent to follow through with these violent declarations. In one post, Kelly stated, “You come here for me, you're getting shot. … I'm shooting for the kill.” The heightened threats against ICE agents have raised alarms within the Department of Homeland Security, especially following reports that assaults on ICE officials have surged by approximately 830% since January. This alarming increase has prompted DHS to call for strict action against individuals who dox ICE agents by exposing their personal information online. In a recent memo, DHS Secretary Kristi Noem emphasized the importance of holding accountable those who encourage violence against law enforcement personnel. The arrest of Anthony Kelly brings to light the growing concern about anti-ICE sentiment and actions that threaten the safety of agents fulfilling their duties. As the agency continues to navigate a politically charged environment, officials are determined to protect their personnel while addressing the rising tide of threats against them. McLaughlin's social media comments reinforced that threats of this nature would not be tolerated and promised rigorous prosecution against those who engage in such behavior.