A federal grand jury has charged a New York man after threats against a Department of Homeland Security officer and his children, and the case highlights growing hostility toward federal immigration personnel.
A federal grand jury returned an indictment charging Matthew White, 43, of Jamestown, New York, with threatening to assault and murder a federal law enforcement officer and with interstate communication containing a threat to injure a person. U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced the indictment and noted the counts carry a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison. The formal charge marks the next step in a criminal process that began after disturbing social media posts and an investigation by federal agents.
According to the indictment, the alleged conduct occurred on April 30, 2025, when White threatened to assault and murder a Department of Homeland Security law enforcement officer with the intent to interfere with the officer’s duties. Assistant U.S. Attorney Evan K. Glaberson is handling the prosecution and laid out the allegations in court filings. The government says the threats were aimed at preventing the officer from doing his job enforcing federal law.
The indictment also points to posts on the social platform X that escalated the concern, including a direct, explicit threat. The post read, “I can’t wait to put a bullet into this guy’s brain, but first his children.” That language was central to the case and prompted immediate investigative action due to the specificity and the involvement of a federal employee.
White was brought before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeremiah J. McCarthy for arraignment and was released pending further proceedings under court-imposed conditions. The judge set terms designed to mitigate any public-safety risk while the case moves forward. Release on conditions does not lessen the seriousness of the charges or the potential penalties if convicted.
The indictment grew out of work by Homeland Security Investigations, directed by Special Agent-in-Charge Erin Keegan, and reflects how quickly online threats against officers can trigger federal criminal probes. HSI agents collected evidence and coordinated with prosecutors to present the matter to a grand jury. This is a clear example of federal resources being used to protect the people who enforce our immigration and border laws.
Threats against federal employees enforcing immigration laws are not isolated incidents, and they often come wrapped in political anger. Many people have Trump Derangement Syndrome and threaten federal employees who are enforcing immigration laws – something that existed long before Trump was elected. From a law-and-order perspective, targeting officers because of the policies they implement is unacceptable and must be treated as a federal crime whenever jurisdiction allows.
Recent confrontations underline the danger these threats pose in real life, not just online. This week, a woman drove an SUV into a federal agent, who then fatally shot her. Federal agents also shot two people in Portland on Thursday, incidents that underscore the tense environment federal law enforcement faces across the country.
Prosecutors will now build their case through discovery, witness testimony, and any forensic evidence tied to the social media posts and communications. If the government can prove the elements of the charged offenses beyond a reasonable doubt, White could face serious time behind bars. The case also sends a broader message: threats against those carrying out federal duties will be investigated and prosecuted.
Courts will handle the legal questions while law enforcement continues to monitor potential risks to officers and their families. For now, the indictment marks a formal response by the justice system to violent threats directed at a federal official. The matter remains active and will proceed through the federal courts according to established procedures.
