Kansas Man Arrested for Alleged Threats Against President Trump
Authorities charged a Kansas man with making threats against President Donald Trump, stemming from Facebook comments made prior to a planned presidential visit.
A Kansas man has been taken into federal custody after allegedly making threats against President Donald Trump on Facebook, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Kansas.
Jaden J. Read, 24, of Clearwater, was charged Saturday with making threats against the president. His arrest occurred two days before Trump’s scheduled visit to Wichita.
The investigation into Read began on October 15, when a Crime Stoppers tip alerted authorities to comments posted beneath a KAKE News Facebook article about the president’s trip. Prosecutors stated that Read allegedly wrote, "Let’s shoot Trump honestly, where’s our shooter? I’m tired of living this money life," followed by another comment claiming he had ammunition and threatening to kill the president.
Authorities reportedly found additional alleged threats made by Read beneath a separate Facebook article from KWCH 12 News about Trump’s visit. In one comment, Read allegedly posted, "Can we shoot him in Kansas please I will myself." Approximately one minute later, prosecutors said, he claimed to know the location of Trump's speech and to have studied nearby rooftops, writing, "IK where your speech will be. Already mapped out roofs around. Finna get kirked since yall couldn’t help him."
Read was arrested in Clearwater and is being held pending a detention hearing. U.S. Attorney Ryan A. Kriegshauser stated Monday, "Political violence and threats of political violence will not be tolerated." He added, "The first Amendment allows for robust disagreement but there are constraints. I caution people to stay within the bounds of constitutionally protected speech."