Jerome F. Gorgon, Jr., U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan | Department of Justice
Isaac Sissel, 26, was sentenced to thirty months in prison for threatening to kill conservative Christians with an AR-15 rifle. The announcement was made by United States Attorney Jerome F. Gorgon Jr., who was joined by Reuben C. Coleman, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Detroit Field Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
Court documents show that in September 2024, Sissel created Reddit accounts under names such as “ShootUpTrumpRally” and “PlanningToKillTrump.” On November 2, he sent an anonymous tip to the FBI stating his intent to attack “conservative christan filth in the event trump wins the election,” and claimed possession of a “stolen ar15.” This threat came two days before a campaign rally for President Trump in Michigan and three days before the 2024 Presidential election. Four months earlier, President Trump had been shot at a campaign rally with an AR-style weapon. Although Sissel is a convicted felon prohibited from possessing firearms, authorities found no evidence that he actually had a weapon.
Sissel pleaded guilty in April 2025 to one count of transmitting threats in interstate commerce. Prosecutors also sought a Hate Crimes Motivation enhancement on the grounds that Sissel targeted his victims based on their actual or perceived religion. The court agreed and applied this enhancement to his sentence.
“We live in evil times,” U.S. Attorney Gorgon said. “Even in America, Christians are routinely targeted for death by violent extremists like this man. The First Amendment is a safeguard of religious liberty and free speech—and so it does not protect true threats that undermine religious liberty.”
Reuben Coleman commented on the outcome: "The sentencing of Issac Sissel reflects the FBI’s zero tolerance for individuals who threaten Americans, including leadership at the highest levels of government. I would like to thank the dedicated members of the FBI Detroit Joint Terrorism Task Force, alongside the FBI Ann Arbor Resident Agency, who worked tirelessly throughout this investigation. This effort would not be possible without the crucial assistance of the United States Secret Service, University of Michigan Police Department, and the Livingston County Sheriff’s Office in apprehending Mr. Sissel and supporting this investigation. I send my sincerest appreciation to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan for their successful prosecution. The FBI will remain committed to protecting our communities across America and investigate those who seek to instill fear and violence.”
The Federal Bureau of Investigation led the investigation into this case, which was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Hank Moon and Micah Wallace.
