Police in Illinois seized guns from a man who called for a violent mass uprising and plotted to go to Minneapolis himself and kill dozens of immigration enforcement agents, according to federal prosecutors.
Jeffrey A. Mullinix, 67, of Troy, Ill., was charged in U.S. District Court in southern Illinois with one count of interstate communication with a threat to injure in connection with online threats he made last month.
Mullinix was arrested, booked into the Madison County jail and is scheduled to appear in court Feb. 18. The Minnesota Star Tribune has reached out to his attorney for a response to the allegations.
“Violence and threats against law enforcement officers can never be tolerated, and those responsible will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” read a statement issued Jan. 29 by U.S. Attorney Steven Weinhoeft. “At the same time, I call on everyone to lower the temperature and seek calm. Our country faces real challenges, but threats and violence only make things worse for our communities, our officers and the rule of law.”
According to the criminal complaint:
On Jan. 21, Mullinix posted a comment on an ABC News report on YouTube about 1,500 soldiers in Alaska possibly joining the immigration crackdown in Minneapolis in which he called on people “to arm yourselves. Peaceful protest is not working. ... The great war about to happen from within.”
Mullinix continued, “I ... will be on my way to Minneapolis pack full [sic] of my weapons. I served in the Navy and prior military. I know my weapons well.” He said he could kill dozens of agents and encouraged others to do the same.
Acting on a tip about the comments, the FBI identified Mullinix as the commenter and went to his home. Mullinix acknowledged making the comments, explaining that “he is angry regarding ICE enforcement operations in Minneapolis. He stated that he wanted to take his two guns, go to Minneapolis, and he would kill ICE officers.”
