ICE and FBI arrest Cincinnati man for terroristic threats against ICE agents

CINCINNATI — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations and the FBI arrested a Cincinnati man July 19 after he allegedly made multiple threats online to shoot and kill ICE officers.

Anthony Marcus Kelly, 38, faces federal charges including threatening to assault, kidnap or murder a United States official, as well as transmitting communications containing threats to kidnap or injure another person.

Law enforcement became aware of a social media user going by the name of “Slab” after he allegedly made multiple social media posts calling for the killing of ICE officers and detailing his acquisition of firearms to carry out that threat.

After an investigation, the user making these posts was identified as Kelly, who lives in the Cincinnati area.

In one of his alleged posts, Kelly 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.”

In another, he wrote, “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”.

“Let me be crystal clear: Threatening to kill a federal officer is not protest — it’s terrorism,” said acting ICE Director Todd M. Lyons. “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. This is what happens when anti-ICE activists don’t realize or care that we’re out there arresting rapists, murderers and child molesters who are in this country illegally. Enough is enough. Anyone who targets ICE personnel will be met with swift, unrelenting justice.”

“Calling for violence against federal law enforcement is not protected by the First Amendment,” said HSI Detroit acting Special Agent in Charge Jared Murphey. “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.”

"Making violent threats against federal law enforcement officers will never be tolerated," said FBI Cincinnati Special Agent in Charge Elena Iatarola. "Advocating for violence is not only wrong; it is also against the law and has serious consequences."

Kelly remains in federal custody pending further court proceedings. 

All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.