Michael Gary Petersen, 41, of Melvindale, Michigan, was arrested on July 16 and charged with making threats to kill Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents and other law enforcement officers, United States Attorney Jerome F. Gorgon, Jr. announced on July 21 in Detroit.
Gorgon was joined in the announcement by Jared Murphey, acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Detroit, and Matthew Putra, acting Field Office Director for Immigration and Customs Enforcement – Enforcement and Removal Operations Detroit.
The criminal complaint charges Petersen with threatening to assault or murder a law enforcement officer and interstate communications involving threats. Between January and July of this year, Petersen posted a series of messages to his social media accounts threatening law enforcement officers as well as social media users who opposed his views. He repeatedly encouraged his followers to shoot law enforcement officers in the face, writing “[n]ever trust officers. Death to them all.” Petersen also warned readers: “Wait till we start throwing grenades and start shooting armor piercing rounds at these agents.” On June 7 he declared that the ICE agent involved in the shooting of Renee Good “…can’t escape a bullet. It’s coming soon. Just wait. ;).” In response to a user who disagreed with him online, he replied, “I have a bullet with your name on it.”
“Threats against law enforcement are an attack on the rule of law. These brave Americans protect us. And we will do our part to protect them,” said Gorgon.
“Disagreement with laws is one thing but the allegations here involve threatening to shoot officers in the face and throw explosive devices,” said HSI Detroit acting Special Agent in Charge Jared Murphey. “We take these types of threats extremely seriously and HSI special agents will vigorously investigate these cases and bring them to justice.”
“The men and women of ICE are enforcing the immigration laws of the land as passed by Congress,” said ICE ERO Detroit acting Field Office Director Matthew Putra. “For them to be allegedly targeted for simply doing their duty according to federal law is unconscionable.”
A criminal complaint is only a charging document and is not evidence of guilt; a defendant is entitled to a fair trial where it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
This case is being investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Eaton Brown.