Anthony Kelly Faces Charges for Inciting Violence Against Federal Law Enforcement
A Cincinnati man was arrested on July 19 after allegedly making multiple online threats to shoot and kill U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers. Anthony Marcus Kelly, 38, faces federal charges including threatening to assault, kidnap, or murder a United States official, and transmitting communications containing threats to kidnap or injure another person.
The arrest was a collaborative effort by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the FBI. Authorities became aware of a social media user, identified as “Slab,” who was allegedly posting calls for the killing of ICE officers and detailing his acquisition of firearms to carry out these threats. An investigation subsequently identified Kelly as the individual behind these posts.
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According to officials, some of Kelly’s alleged posts included highly aggressive language. In one instance, he purportedly wrote, “Why even bother with these damn courts anymore. #Gestapedos don’t deserve anything but the smoke coming for them anyway. #RevolutionIsTheSolution #DestroyICE they’re rabid dogs that need to be put down. Including #KristiNoem #DogmeatWalking.” Another alleged post read, “You come here for me, you’re getting shot. And I’m not looking to disable […] I’m shooting for the kill. I won’t give a **** about your names, who you are, or anything else.”
Law enforcement leaders swiftly condemned Kelly’s alleged actions. Acting ICE Director Todd M. Lyons stated, “Let me be crystal clear: Threatening to kill a federal officer is not protest — it’s terrorism. Anthony Kelly’s violent threats, while disgusting and completely unhinged, are a symptom of a larger problem: Politicians are trying to turn our law enforcement officials into targets by scaring their constituents and whipping them into a frenzy in a fact-free vacuum.” Lyons emphasized ICE’s role in apprehending dangerous criminals and warned that “Anyone who targets ICE personnel will be met with swift, unrelenting justice.”
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HSI Detroit acting Special Agent in Charge Jared Murphey reiterated that such threats are not protected by the First Amendment. “At great personal risk, ICE agents and officers faithfully enforce laws passed by our representatives in Congress. If members of the public disagree with our nation’s laws, they need to write their representatives, not threaten violence against those charged with carrying out the law,” Murphey said.
FBI Cincinnati Special Agent in Charge Elena Iatarola added, “Making violent threats against federal law enforcement officers will never be tolerated. Advocating for violence is not only wrong; it is also against the law and has serious consequences.”
Kelly is currently facing federal charges, and the investigation is ongoing.
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