An individual from Mexico residing in Dallas, Texas, was arrested on Tuesday after allegedly posting a message on TikTok that solicited others to kill U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. The announcement was made by Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas, Nancy E. Larson.
According to court documents, Eduardo Aguilar, 23, was charged with transmitting a threat via interstate or foreign communication. The charge stems from an October 9 TikTok post written in Spanish. The post reportedly stated, “I need 10 dudes in Dallas with determination (guts) who aren’t afraid to [two skull emojis],” with the emojis interpreted as “die.” Another part of the message read, “10K for each ICE agent.”
“Threats against our law enforcement officers are completely unacceptable,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Nancy E. Larson. “All threats against our agents and officers will be investigated thoroughly, and anyone who threatens or puts a bounty on agents will be arrested and prosecuted to the fullest extent possible.”
FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge R. Joseph Rothrock stated, “The FBI takes threats of violence to our law enforcement partners seriously and will thoroughly investigate anyone that commits these types of offenses.”
Aguilar appeared before a United States Magistrate Judge in Dallas on Tuesday afternoon and was ordered to remain in federal custody pending further proceedings. If convicted, he could face up to five years in federal prison.
Officials emphasized that a criminal complaint is an allegation and not evidence of guilt. Aguilar is presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
The investigation involved several agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation – Dallas, Dallas Police Department, Texas Department of Public Safety, U.S. Marshals Service, Federal Protective Service, Homeland Security Investigations, Immigration and Customs Enforcement – ERO, Garland Police Department, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives – Dallas Field Division.
