Francisco Jesus Mena, a 36-year-old man from North Richland Hills, Texas, was indicted by a federal grand jury on February 3, 2026, on 10 counts of threatening a federal official. He faces up to 96 years in prison if convicted on all counts, with an arraignment scheduled for February 11, 2026.
Alleged threats to President Trump
Prosecutors say Mena posted repeatedly on YouTube (referred to as a social media platform in some reports) between May 13 and May 25, 2025, including writing “Kill Trump” at least 24 times in all caps, stating “I will kill Trump,” and offering himself as a sniper without needing payment. He also targeted Trump’s supporters, writing threats like “We will murder you!!!” and “All these Trump mfs will die.”
Threats to ICE agents
Mena allegedly claimed he would respond to ICE agents at his door with a gunfight and boasted about stabbing an ICE agent in 2009, saying he wanted to do it again. Other posts described killing Trump followers via stabbing, shooting, drugging, or hanging.
Investigation and arrest
Authorities identified Mena using YouTube account details linked to his real birthdate, phone number, and address, obtained via Google records. He was first arrested on January 7, 2026, based on a complaint, admitted to the posts knowing they would draw attention, and the case was investigated by the FBI Dallas Field Office-Fort Worth Resident Agency and U.S. Secret Service.
DOJ statement
U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould emphasized that online threats are not immune from prosecution, stating law enforcement uncovers those hiding behind screens. Mena is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
