Grand jury indicts Columbus man for threatening to kill federal immigration agents
COLUMBUS, Ohio — A federal grand jury has indicted a Columbus man accused of making violent threats on social media against federal immigration officers, according to a press release from the U.S. Department of Justice.
Justin Mesael Novoa, 21, of Columbus, was charged in a two-count federal indictment with threatening to assault or murder a federal law enforcement officer and with making threatening interstate communications. Novoa was initially charged by criminal complaint on Jan. 22.
According to court documents, investigators with Homeland Security Investigations received information in December 2025 about threats directed at Immigration and Customs Enforcement employees posted on the social media platform X.
The investigation alleges that in June 2025, Novoa posted a message stating, “they should blast every ice agent they find.” In November 2025, he allegedly posted another message threatening to shoot ICE agents and individuals associated with the “MAGA” movement. Authorities say Novoa used the screennames “Lord of Frenzied Flame” and “Father2High” when making the posts.
Federal agents executed a search warrant at Novoa’s residence in December 2025, where they seized multiple firearms, including two rifles, two shotguns and one handgun, along with ammunition. Agents also recovered two helmets and a body armor vest, according to the indictment.
Threatening to kill a federal officer is a crime punishable by up to 10 years in prison. Making threatening interstate communications carries a potential sentence of up to five years in prison.
The case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Ohio. The investigation involved U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations, led in the region by Special Agent in Charge Jared Murphey. Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy D. Prichard is representing the United States.
An indictment contains allegations only. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
