A New Mexico man is spending nearly a year in federal prison after a chilling series of online threats directed at a former president. Tyler Leveque, 38, of Albuquerque, admitted to unleashing a barrage of violent posts across multiple social media platforms in early January 2025, sparking a swift investigation.
The threats began with a disturbing TikTok video on January 2nd, where Leveque expressed intense hatred and warned followers to “be f---ing scared,” even declaring his willingness to die. He punctuated the video with a taunting “Run, run,” hinting at impending action.
The following day, the online attacks escalated on X, directly targeting the former president. One post chillingly stated, “@realDonaldTrump I got my eyes on you sir! Cant wait for your Victory rally! The 19th right!? Lol you and your rich friends are dead no threat a promise.”
Leveque didn’t stop there. He continued to fuel the online fire, predicting a confrontation on January 19th and warning public figures and business leaders that “its [sic] too late for yall… see u on the 19thfor [sic] war!” A simple, stark “Die” was even posted in response to one of the former president’s posts.
The digital trail of escalating threats continued on Facebook, where Leveque announced he had “just bought my first gun” and called for a march on state offices, openly preparing for violent action. He even acknowledged the possibility of imprisonment or death as a consequence.
Federal agents quickly responded. On January 6th, Secret Service agents and FBI investigators visited Leveque’s Albuquerque home. They discovered he had initiated an online firearm purchase two days prior, though the transaction hadn’t been completed and he hadn’t taken possession of the weapon.
Agents immediately informed Leveque that his online statements constituted illegal threats, explicitly stating that such speech is not protected under the First Amendment. The investigation highlighted the serious consequences of online rhetoric.
Prosecutors emphasized the gravity of threatening public officials, stating that such offenses would be pursued to the fullest extent of the law. The sentencing serves as a stark warning about the lifelong repercussions of online threats, including imprisonment, a felony record, and loss of rights.
Law enforcement officials underscored the importance of distinguishing between protected free speech and genuine threats of violence. The FBI affirmed its commitment to upholding constitutional rights while simultaneously holding individuals accountable for threatening behavior.
Leveque ultimately pleaded guilty to making threats against the president and successors to the presidency. Following his ten-month prison sentence, he will face three years of supervised release, a lasting consequence of his actions.
