Shawn Monper, a 32-year-old resident of Butler, Pennsylvania, faces charges of making threats to assault and murder key figures, including former President Donald J. Trump, various United States officials, and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents. The announcement came from Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti.
Attorney General Pamela Bondi commented on the situation, stating, "I want to applaud the outstanding and courageous investigative work of the FBI and the Butler Township Police Department, who thankfully identified and apprehended this individual before he could carry out his threats against President Trump’s life and the lives of other innocent Americans." She continued, "Rest assured that whenever and wherever threats of assassination or mass violence occur, this Department of Justice will find, arrest, and prosecute the suspect to the fullest extent of the law and seek the maximum appropriate punishment."
The initial federal complaint outlined threats posted on YouTube by a user named “Mr Satan,” which emergency disclosure identified on April 8, 2025. The FBI's investigation traced the threats back to activity linked to Monper’s residence in the Western District of Pennsylvania. Additionally, federal investigators noted that Monper obtained a firearms permit shortly after the inauguration of President Trump.
Evidence shows that Monper, under the alias “Mr Satan,” had commented in February 2025, “I have bought several guns and been stocking up on ammo since Trump got in office,” and in March 2025, had made several comments indicating plans for a mass shooting and accumulating firearms and ammunition.
Specific threats extended to prominent individuals, ICE agents, and included incendiary proposals such as: “Nah, we just need to start killing people, Trump, Elon, all the heads of agencies Trump appointed, and anyone who stands in the way,” alongside other statements that portrayed ICE agents as targets for violence.
Monper was detained on April 9, 2025, following his arrest by the FBI and Butler Township Police Department. He is being held pending hearings on April 14, 2025, set to determine further legal proceedings.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Brendan J. McKenna, following investigations conducted by both the FBI and Butler Township Police Department. Readers are reminded that a criminal complaint is merely an accusation and the defendant must be presumed innocent until proven guilty.