Nick Guadalupe Cruz-Lopez, a 20-year-old from Plant City, Florida, was arrested and charged with making a threat to kill the President of the United States, according to an announcement by United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe on April 6.
The case highlights ongoing concerns about threats made against public officials and the role of law enforcement in responding swiftly to such incidents.
According to the criminal complaint, Cruz-Lopez posted a photo on his Instagram account on April 2 that included the caption “MAGA Otw to kill trump” and showed him in a vehicle holding an AR-15 style rifle. Federal agents located and arrested Cruz-Lopez later that day.
A statement from authorities emphasized that "a criminal complaint is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed a violation of Federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty."
The United States Secret Service conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Ross Roberts will prosecute the case.
If convicted, Cruz-Lopez could face up to five years in federal prison.
