In El Paso today, a federal grand jury returned an indictment against 49-year-old El Paso resident Michael Reyes for allegedly posting threats on a social media platform, announced U.S. Attorney Gregg N. Sofer and FBI Special Agent in Charge Luis M. Quesada, El Paso Division.
The indictment charges Reyes with one count of interstate communication with threat to injure. The indictment alleges that Reyes transmitted threatening communications between Dec. 12, 2020 and Dec. 14, 2020. Court records reflect that on Dec. 14, 2020, the FBI received a report that a Parler user posted comments advocating murder and terrorism aimed at federal government officials and other individuals.
Reyes has remained in federal custody since FBI agents arrested him on Dec. 18, 2020. Upon conviction, Reyes faces up to five years in federal prison and a maximum $250,000 fine.
The FBI investigated this case with assistance from El Paso Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mallory Rasmussen is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
An indictment is merely a charge and should not be considered as evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
