A 32-year-old resident of Binghamton, New York, has been charged with making violent threats against President Donald Trump and his supporters via YouTube posts. Jeffrey Scott Hamm Jr. faces up to five years in federal prison for the alleged threats posted in January and February. Federal authorities acted after Google reported the content to the FBI.
Jeffrey Scott Hamm Jr., a 32-year-old from Upstate New York, was arrested late last month and charged with one count of making a threat using interstate commerce, according to court records from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of New York.
The threats began on January 8, when Hamm, using the YouTube handle @JusticePeaceUnity, posted: "I'll kill Donald Trump first chance i f—ing get." The next day, he wrote about having "1,000 rounds for ICE," adding, "I got my scope on them now."
On January 15, Hamm allegedly made several posts, including: "Kill All MAGA, Revolution"; "Kill ICE, kill MAGA, kill trump"; "2nd Amendment. We have every right to kill ICE agents"; "I'm gonna find you and shoot you MAGA"; "I'll kill a mother f—ing ICE agent"; and "We have every right to shoot to kill the tyrannical government! 2nd Amendment motherf—ers!!!!"
The posts continued into February. Between February 15 and 16, he wrote: "I say imma pull my gun out and start shooting people over this s—." ; "Shoot to kill MAGA."; "Trump is gonna be on his knees when I stick this piping hot metal rod in and out his throat."; and "Just know if you come to my door I'm gonna die with a gun in my hand pointing at ICE or some Federal Agent. I'm not going to a concentration camp."
On February 19, Hamm allegedly stated he was "about to burn this entire government down," adding, "Probably this week I'm getting my guns out of storage and I'm gonna go shoot up ICE."
The FBI's investigation started on February 24, when Google notified them of the threatening statements indicating an emergency involving imminent harm. Investigators identified Hamm as the poster. In a post-Miranda interview, he confirmed owning the handle and making the comments, per a probable cause affidavit.
FBI Special Agent in Charge Craig Tremaroli stated: "Mr. Hamm tried to hide behind a keyboard, but this arrest should prove if you're making dangerous threats of violence online, the FBI will find you and hold you accountable. Threats of violence against the President, public officials, law enforcement, or any member of our community are illegal and will not be tolerated."
Hamm faces a maximum of five years in federal prison. His next court appearance date was not immediately available.
