Federal agents arrested 33-year-old Michael Stover in Downers Grove, Illinois, on Friday for allegedly making violent threats against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers and well-known political figures. He was charged in U.S. District Court with a felony count of making a \u201ctrue threat\u201d against public officials.<\/p>\n
According to court documents, Stover had been under federal surveillance for months due to several alarming social media posts. These included threats to kill ICE agents, calls for violent uprising, and a February post showing five rifle bullets labeled with the first names of U.S. political figures, placed next to hunting knives. He also allegedly referred to ICE as a \u201cterrorist organization\u201d and encouraged others to \u201cshoot them down like dogs.\u201d<\/p>\n
The FBI, in coordination with the U.S. Secret Service, began monitoring Stover after the National Threat Operations Center flagged his online activity. A \u201cClear and Present Danger\u201d report was filed in May, leading Illinois State Police to revoke his Firearm Owner\u2019s Identification (FOID) card. The following day, Downers Grove police responded to a domestic disturbance call and seized multiple firearms and ammunition from his residence, though no charges were filed at the time.<\/p>\n
Despite law enforcement interviews and a mental health evaluation, prosecutors say Stover continued to post violent rhetoric online. During his initial court appearance, he told the judge he worked in air conditioning. A federal detention hearing is scheduled for September 10.<\/p>\n
Separately, U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro announced the arrest of a woman for threatening President Trump. However, a Washington, D.C. grand jury declined to indict her, even though Trump narrowly survived an assassination attempt in July.<\/p>\n