Johnathan Trent Thomas, a 27-year-old resident of Linwood, North Carolina, made an appearance in federal court on charges related to threats against federal law enforcement officers. The announcement was made by Russ Ferguson, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. Thomas was apprehended on Friday, May 16, and is currently detained awaiting a hearing.
The case involves Cardell T. Morant, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in North Carolina and South Carolina, who joined U.S. Attorney Ferguson in the announcement.
According to details from the criminal complaint and affidavit revealed in court, Thomas allegedly called the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD) on May 14 at around noon. He reportedly threatened to kill Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents and CMPD officers if immigration actions continued. In a subsequent call with a CMPD officer, Thomas allegedly stated his intention to travel to Charlotte equipped with armor-piercing ammunition, night vision devices, and body armor to target law enforcement officers if he witnessed any arrests.
Further allegations suggest that Thomas declared he would retaliate with gunfire if confronted by police pointing guns at him. He also purportedly threatened that he had explosive materials around his residence as a deterrent against police intervention and referenced an incident from April 29, 2024, when four officers were killed in Charlotte.
Thomas's history reportedly includes previous threats towards law enforcement agencies such as the Davidson County Sheriff’s Office and CMPD. There are also claims of him following CMPD patrol cars during their duties.
A search warrant executed by HSI agents at Thomas’s home resulted in the seizure of three rifles and a handgun.
The charge against Thomas is for threatening to assault or murder federal law enforcement officers which carries up to ten years imprisonment upon conviction. Sentencing will be determined by a federal district court judge considering various guidelines and factors.
U.S. Attorney Ferguson acknowledged HSI's role in investigating the case while expressing gratitude towards several other law enforcement agencies for their support.
Assistant U.S. Attorney David Kelly is handling the prosecution of this case.
It is important to note that criminal complaints are merely allegations until proven otherwise beyond reasonable doubt in court proceedings.
