A Columbus man has been charged federally for allegedly threatening on social media to kill federal immigration agents.
Justin Mesael Novoa, 21, is charged with making threatening interstate communications, including threats to assault or murder a federal law enforcement officer.
Court documents say that Homeland Security received information in December 2025 regarding threats to ICE employees on the social media platform X. Investigation revealed that, in June 2025, Novoa allegedly posted: “they should blast every ice agent they find.”
Later, in November 2025, Novoa allegedly posted “can’t wait to shoot these p***y ice agents and r******d maga maggots.”
Federal agents executed a search warrant at Novoa’s residence in December 2025 and seized multiple firearms, including two rifles, two shotguns and one handgun, as well as ammunition. Novoa also possessed two helmets and body armor.
Threatening to kill a federal officer is a crime punishable by up to 10 years in prison. Making threatening interstate communications carries a potential penalty of up to five years in prison.
BREAKING: Justin Novoa was just arrested in Columbus, Ohio for threatening to kiII ICE agents.
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) January 23, 2026
He allegedly wrote on X “cant wait to shoot these p***y ice agents and retarded maga maggots."
Police discovered body armor, guns, and ammo when executing a search warrant.
He can… pic.twitter.com/DKBC8G5oqj
Justin Novoa has been federally charged in Columbus, Ohio on Jan. 22 for allegedly making threats on social media to mass m—rder ICE agents and "maga maggots" with a firearm. The account alleged to be his on X has a number of anti-Trump and violent extremist posts.
— Andy Ngo (@MrAndyNgo) January 23, 2026
Novoa had a… pic.twitter.com/0axxux0cad
Columbus man charged with threatening to kill federal agentshttps://t.co/gFELOjSrhK
— US Attorney Southern District of Ohio (@SDOHnews) January 22, 2026