A Texas man accused of threatening to kill a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer after the agent's home address was shared online has been indicted by a federal grand jury, prosecutors announced Thursday.
Details of the Threat
According to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Texas, 54-year-old Richard Torres of Houston was charged with one count of interstate communication of a threat to injure another person. The indictment alleges that on June 12, Torres posted a message on a social media platform stating his intention to kill the ICE agent, whom he identified by name. The post referenced the agent's involvement in immigration enforcement actions.
The threat came after the agent's home address was circulated online by anti-immigration enforcement activists. Prosecutors say Torres specifically wrote that he would "put a bullet" in the agent's head and called for others to join him in targeting the officer.
Arrest and Legal Proceedings
Torres was arrested on June 20 and has been in federal custody since. He made his initial court appearance on July 8, and the indictment was unsealed Thursday. If convicted, he faces up to five years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000.
"Threats of violence against law enforcement officers will not be tolerated," said U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani in a statement. "We will aggressively prosecute anyone who seeks to intimidate or harm those who serve our communities."
Background of the Case
The case has drawn attention amid heightened tensions over immigration enforcement. The agent involved has been assigned to a specialized unit targeting criminal aliens and has received multiple threats in the past. ICE officials have expressed concern over the safety of their personnel, noting a rise in online harassment targeting immigration officers.
"Our officers put their lives on the line every day to enforce our nation's immigration laws," said ICE Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent in Charge Mark B. Dawson. "We will not stand by while they are targeted for doing their jobs."
Torres's defense attorney declined to comment on the specifics of the case but noted that his client maintains his innocence. A trial date has not yet been set.
