A 63-year-old New York man admitted in federal court Tuesday to posting a violent message on social media specifically targeting the spouse of a federal deportation officer.
Anthony Noto pleaded guilty to knowingly transmitting a threat to injure the woman following an online post that exposed her personal information.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the incident occurred after an individual “doxxed” the federal agent and his wife on Instagram, sharing their identities publicly. Noto commented beneath a photograph of the officer’s wife, writing, “Anybody wanna test the sites [sic] on their new A-R? There’s a pretty good target right there!”
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Prosecutors noted that “A-R” refers to a semiautomatic rifle.
U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg condemned the behavior, emphasizing that threats directed at the families of law enforcement personnel will be met with aggressive legal action.
“Threatening to harm a federal agent’s spouse, child, or other loved one is inexcusable, outrageous, and illegal,” Hertzberg said. “My office will bring to justice anyone who commits or threatens violence against federal agents and their families.”
The FBI, which led the investigation, echoed the zero-tolerance stance. FBI Atlanta Special Agent in Charge Paul Brown stated that the bureau remains committed to holding accountable those who threaten violence against officers or their connections.
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Noto, identified in court records as a resident of Ronkonkoma, New York, was indicted on the charges in September 2025. He is scheduled for sentencing before U.S. District Judge Steven D. Grimberg on April 16, 2026.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brent Alan Gray and Eric White.
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