A Texas man is finding out the hard way that the “delete” button isn’t a get-out-of-jail-free card. On Tuesday, a federal grand jury indicted 36-year-old Francisco Jesus Mena of North Richland Hills, on ten counts of threatening federal officials, a move that could see him spending nearly a century behind bars if he’s convicted.
The charges stem from a series of posts made on social media back in May 2025. According to federal prosecutors, Mena didn’t just vent his frustrations; he allegedly crossed a legal line by threatening to assault and murder the President of the United States along with several unnamed ICE agents.
While many people think the internet provides a shield of anonymity, U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould made it clear that the Department of Justice doesn’t see it that way. He noted that some people have a false sense of security when posting vitriol from behind a keyboard, but law enforcement is consistently proving that those “computer screens” aren’t as opaque as users think.
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Mena’s legal troubles didn’t start this week. He was originally picked up on a federal complaint in early January and had his first day in court before a magistrate judge shortly after.
However, this week’s indictment by the grand jury marks a significant escalation in the case. The FBI and the Secret Service have been digging into Mena’s digital footprint for months, and the results of that investigation led to the ten-count indictment he now faces.
“The FBI takes online threats to federal officials and law enforcement seriously. Using online platforms to threaten the lives of others does not insulate an individual from consequences. We are committed to thoroughly investigating these crimes,” said FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge R. Joseph Rothrock. “We ask that the public continue to remain vigilant and report suspicious online activity to law enforcement.”
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Mena is scheduled to appear for his formal arraignment on February 11.
As it stands, the sheer volume of the charges carries a heavy weight. If the court finds him guilty on all counts, the maximum penalty adds up to 96 years in federal prison. For now, Mena remains in the legal system as Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Weybrecht prepares to take the case to trial.
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