A Jamestown, New York, man has been arrested and charged with making threats to kill U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement personnel and their children.
Federal prosecutors announced the arrest of 43-year-old Matthew White on July 1, following an investigation by ICE Homeland Security Investigations Buffalo. He faces one count of communicating interstate threats after investigators uncovered multiple violent posts made on social media targeting ICE agents.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of New York, the criminal complaint stems from White’s activity on X, formerly Twitter, where he federal authorities said he encouraged violence against immigration officers, described ICE as “the new age gestapo,” and threatened to kill agents and their children.
Federal authorities said that one post from April 18 read: “Kill them all, ICE is the new age gestapo, stop them.”
Another post on April 29 was made in response to a video clip of former ICE Acting Director Tom Homan. White allegedly commented, “Then understand that if your ICE agents don’t show proof of identity and a signed warrant, we will kill them.”
Authorities say that in late April, White also reacted to news coverage of ICE arrest operations by posting: “I can’t wait to put a bullet into this guy’s brain, but first his children.”
HSI Buffalo Special Agent in Charge Erin Keegan condemned the threats in a statement announcing the charges: “The defendant stands accused of making vile threats against officers and agents who risk their lives every day to uphold an oath they swore to protect the public — even those who wish them harm. There is no place in our community for such hate against any human beings, including and especially innocent children.”
The investigation began April 30, when HSI Buffalo learned of the threatening posts linked to White’s X account. White agreed to speak voluntarily with investigators on June 4 and allowed them to copy the contents of his phone, where the threatening messages were recovered.
White made his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeremiah J. McCarthy on July 1. He was released under conditions pending further proceedings.
Federal officials emphasized that the case highlights the dangers posed by threats against law enforcement and said they will continue to investigate and prosecute such offenses.
