New Mexico Man Indicted for Allegedly Making Death Threats Against Trump

President-elect Donald Trump speaks during the Make America Great Again Victory Rally at Capital One Arena one day prior to his Inauguration in Washington on Jan. 19, 2025. John Fredricks/The Epoch Times

A New Mexico man has been charged for allegedly making death threats against President Donald Trump and others on social media.

A federal grand jury on Thursday indicted Tyler Miles Leveque, 37, of Albuquerque, for interstate threatening communications, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for New Mexico said in a statement. If convicted, he could face up to five years in prison.

The indictment stems from a series of social media posts that caught the attention of the U.S. Secret Service, according to a criminal complaint.

The first post in question, made on Jan. 3 on social media platform X, tagged Trump’s profile and stated, “I got my eyes you sir!” adding “you and your rich friends are dead,” and declaring “no threat a promise.” The post also referenced a Trump rally scheduled for Jan. 19th, the day before his inauguration.

Another post on the same day tagged both Trump and his head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), tech billionaire Elon Musk, saying, “see you on the 19th for war.” A third post, a response to a post by Trump, simply said, “die.”

According to court documents, officers from the Secret Service, FBI, and Albuquerque Police Department interviewed Leveque on Jan. 6. During the interview, Leveque admitted to making the threatening posts, saying that he was “frustrated with the government.”

Leveque also confirmed a Facebook post from Jan. 4, in which he stated he had just purchased his first gun. He allegedly wrote, “Hey world hey America hey trump hey [CEOs] get rich we are hunting you down! Hahaha I’m getting ready myself! Here we come it ends now.”

Leveque is currently in custody awaiting trial. A trial date has not yet been set.

The indictment was issued amid a leadership change in the Secret Service following two confirmed attempts on Trump’s life in the months leading to his nonconsecutive return to the White House.

On July 13, 2024, during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, a man opened fire from the roof of a nearby building, killing one spectator, injuring two others, and grazing Trump’s right ear. The Secret Service faced intense scrutiny over how the man was able to reach a rooftop so close to the stage where Trump was speaking.

Another incident occurred on Sept. 13, 2024, when 58-year-old Ryan Wesley Routh was spotted at the International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida. Routh, carrying a rifle, was seen in the bushes by the golf course before Trump arrived. A note found in Routh’s home later confirmed his intent to harm Trump.

On Jan. 22, Trump appointed Sean Curran to lead the Secret Service. A special agent in charge of Trump’s security detail for four years, Curran jumped on the stage to shield Trump during the Butler rally attack.

Curran takes over from Ronald Rowe, who has served as acting director since July, when Kimberly Cheatle resigned amid widespread criticism over the Secret Service’s failure to prevent the deadly shooting at the Pennsylvania rally.

Appointment to lead the Secret Service doesn’t require Senate confirmation.