A Raleigh man has been sentenced to 27 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, after pleading guilty to making threats against then-President Joseph Biden and a U.S. Secret Service agent. The sentencing took place on Friday in a federal court.
U.S. Attorney Ellis Boyle commented on the case, stating: “This sentence makes one thing clear: threatening to murder the President of the United States or any federal agents sworn to protect our nation will bring swift and serious consequences. We do not tolerate violent statements that cross the line into criminal threats. Our office will continue to defend the safety of our public officials and stand firmly behind our law enforcement officers who put themselves in harm’s way to protect us every day.”
Meghan Dubea, Resident Agent in Charge at the U.S. Secret Service's Raleigh office, also addressed the outcome: “This case highlights the dangers our public officials face every day. Law enforcement and our judicial system must never waver even when threatened with violence or facing danger. We are thankful for the Raleigh Police Department and for the United States Attorney's Office for ensuring Michael Ferr was held accountable.”
Court documents revealed that Michael James Ferr, age 31, posted multiple threatening comments on X.com (formerly Twitter) on January 10, 2025, including death threats directed at then-President Biden. When U.S. Secret Service agents interviewed Ferr four days later regarding these online threats, he also threatened to kill one of the agents present.
The investigation was conducted by the United States Secret Service with assistance from the Raleigh Police Department. The National Security Section of the U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted this case.
Additional information and related court documents can be accessed through resources such as PACER or via searching Case No. 5:25-CR-00085 on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina.
