An individual from Mexico residing illegally in the United States was arrested in Dallas on Tuesday after allegedly posting a solicitation on TikTok for others to kill Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. The arrest was announced by Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas, Nancy E. Larson.
Court documents state that Eduardo Aguilar, 23, was charged by federal complaint with transmitting a communication containing a threat via interstate or foreign commerce. The charge stems from an October 9 TikTok post in Spanish, which, according to court records, included the translated message: “I need 10 dudes in Dallas with determination (guts) who aren’t afraid to [two skull emojis].” The skull emojis are interpreted as representing the word “die.” Another part of the post stated, “10K for each ICE agent.”
“Threats against our law enforcement officers are completely unacceptable,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Nancy E. Larson. “All threats against our agents and officers will be investigated thoroughly, and anyone who threatens or puts a bounty on agents will be arrested and prosecuted to the fullest extent possible.”
FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge R. Joseph Rothrock added, “The FBI takes threats of violence to our law enforcement partners seriously and will thoroughly investigate anyone that commits these types of offenses.”
Aguilar appeared before a United States Magistrate Judge in Dallas, who ordered that he remain in federal custody pending further proceedings. If convicted, Aguilar could face up to five years in federal prison.
Authorities emphasized that a criminal complaint is an allegation and not evidence, and that Aguilar is presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation – Dallas, with support from several agencies, including the Dallas Police Department, Texas Department of Public Safety, U.S. Marshals Service, Federal Protective Service, Homeland Security Investigations, Immigration and Customs Enforcement – ERO, Garland Police Department, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives – Dallas Field Division.
