A Kansas man was arrested on Oct. 17 for allegedly making threats on social media to shoot President Donald Trump ahead of his planned visit to Wichita, Kansas, according to federal prosecutors.
Federal prosecutors said authorities began investigating Read after receiving a Crime Stoppers tip about his comments made in response to a KAKE News article covering Trump’s planned visit to Wichita on Oct. 19.
Read allegedly posted two comments related to ammunition and a wish to assassinate the president.
Authorities also found that Read had posted two more comments in response to a KWCH 12 News article about Trump’s visit. In the first comment, he allegedly wrote about assassination again.
About a minute later, Read allegedly posted another comment on the same article saying that he knew where Trump’s speech would take place and that he had “already mapped out roofs around” the venue.
Authorities arrested Read in Clearwater, Kansas, on Oct. 17 and placed him in federal custody, where he will be held until his detention hearing.
“Political violence and threats of political violence will not be tolerated,” U.S. Attorney Ryan A. Kriegshauser said in the statement. “The First Amendment allows for robust disagreement but there are constraints. I caution people to stay within the bounds of constitutionally protected speech.”
It remains unclear whether Read has been appointed an attorney.
The Los Angeles-based former podcaster was charged with one count of threats against the president, one count of cyberstalking, and one count of harassing telephone calls in interstate communications, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Los Angeles.
Southworth, whose podcast focuses on gay issues, was accused of using his social media accounts on YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok, and a website, to express his hatred toward Trump and Trump’s supporters.