A Clarksburg, West Virginia man, Cody Lee Smith, 20, has admitted guilt to making threats against President Donald J. Trump and Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, U.S. Attorney Matthew L. Harvey announced.
According to court statements, Smith posted threats on social media on January 17, 2026, targeting ICE agents and President Trump. He also sent a sexually violent threat against the President via a direct Instagram message to Donald J. Trump Jr. The following day, Smith called the ICE tip line, threatening to kill agents in Clarksburg, along with the operator and their family.
Smith faces a potential sentence of up to five years in federal prison for the presidential threat charge and up to ten years for the threats against ICE. A federal district court judge will determine the final sentence after considering U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative by the Department of Justice.