Acting Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Director Todd Lyons issued a forceful rebuke Tuesday following the arrest of an Ohio man accused of making multiple online threats to kill federal immigration agents, calling the behavior “disgusting and completely unhinged.”
Anthony Kelly, 38, of Cincinnati, was taken into federal custody on July 19 after allegedly posting violent threats on social media, including one message that read:
“#RevolutionIsTheSolution #DestroyICE they’re rabid dogs that need to be put down. Including #KristiNoem.”
“Let me be crystal clear: threatening to murder a federal law enforcement officer is not protest—it’s terrorism,” Lyons said in a statement. “Anthony Kelly’s threats are not only vile, they are part of a broader pattern where law enforcement is demonized by those who either don’t understand or don’t care that we’re arresting rapists, murderers, and child predators.”
According to ICE, Kelly was charged with threatening to assault, kidnap, or murder a United States official, and for transmitting threats of violence across state lines. ICE’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) worked alongside the FBI in the investigation that led to his arrest.
Authorities say Kelly, who used the online alias “Slab,” made several explicit social media posts outlining his desire to kill ICE officers and describing his efforts to acquire firearms to carry out the threat. In one post, he allegedly wrote:
“You come here for me, you’re getting shot… I’m shooting for the kill. I don’t give a **** about your names.”
Another message reportedly read:
“Why even bother with these damn courts anymore. #Gestapedos don’t deserve anything but the smoke coming for them.”
HSI Detroit Acting Special Agent in Charge Jared Murphey emphasized that such statements are not protected speech under the First Amendment.
“Calling for violence against federal agents is criminal, not constitutional,” Murphey said. “Our officers take personal risks every day to uphold laws passed by Congress. If someone disagrees with those laws, they should contact their elected officials—not threaten the lives of the men and women enforcing them.”
Kelly remains in federal custody as he awaits court proceedings.
Director Lyons warned that violent rhetoric targeting federal agents will not be tolerated. “Enough is enough,” he said. “Anyone who targets ICE personnel will face swift and unrelenting justice.”
