In recent incidents, two individuals have been arrested for making threats against President Donald Trump.
In Florida, 46-year-old Shannon Depararro Atkins was apprehended after allegedly posting violent threats on Facebook. Authorities received a tip about Atkins’ online activity, leading to his arrest during a traffic stop in West Palm Beach. At the time of his arrest, officers discovered cocaine in his possession. Atkins admitted to making the posts but claimed they were jokes. He now faces charges of written or electronic threats to kill, do bodily injury, or conduct a mass shooting or act of terrorism, as well as possession of cocaine. The U.S. Secret Service is reviewing the case to determine if federal charges will be filed.
In Arizona, 66-year-old Ronald Lee Syvrud was arrested for allegedly making death threats against President Trump on social media. The Cochise County Sheriff’s Office identified Syvrud as an investigative lead after he reportedly posted threats online. Syvrud, who had outstanding warrants for DUI-related offenses and failure to register as a sex offender, was taken into custody without incident. The arrest occurred shortly before President Trump’s visit to the area, prompting heightened security measures.
These arrests underscore the seriousness with which law enforcement agencies treat threats against public officials, emphasizing that such actions, even if claimed as jokes, carry significant legal consequences.