Two men from out of state have been charged by a federal grand jury with making threats against a U.S. Department of Homeland Security Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) deportation officer and his wife. The case is being prosecuted in the Northern District of Georgia.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Frank Andrew Waszut allegedly posted an Instagram video showing images of an ICE deportation officer based in North Georgia. In the video, Waszut stated: “And he’s an ICE agent. This is him unmasked . . . . So, go ahead and make him famous. And if you see this [expletive] out in public give him the cell block one treatment. You know, catch him when he’s alone.” Authorities believe that “cell block one treatment” refers to inflicting physical violence on someone.
In a separate incident, Anthony Patrick Noto is accused of posting a comment under a photo of the same officer’s wife on Instagram: “Anybody wanna test the sites [sic] on their new A-R? There’s a pretty good target right there!” Investigators say “A-R” refers to a semiautomatic rifle.
U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg stated: “Federal agents deserve to perform their duties free of harassment from keyboard warriors and other agitators. Threatening law enforcement officers and their families is not only illegal—it’s disgusting. My office will ensure that anyone who threatens a federal agent in North Georgia, or who hides behind a computer screen to intimidate that agent’s immediate family, is found, arrested, prosecuted, and held accountable.”
Paul Brown, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta added: “Threats of violence against law enforcement officers and their families are not only reprehensible, but also a direct attack on the safety and integrity of our justice system. These charges serve as a clear reminder that threats of this nature will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
Noto, age 63 from Ronkonkoma, New York, was taken into federal custody and arraigned following his indictment. Waszut, age 41 from Knoxville, Tennessee, remains in state custody in Texas where he faces separate charges for alleged threats against Republican lawmakers there.
Both men were indicted by a federal grand jury on September 23, 2025.
Officials emphasized that indictments are only accusations; both defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty at trial.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation is leading the investigation into these incidents.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brent Alan Gray and Eric White are handling prosecution for this case.
For more information about the case or contact details for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia visit http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.
