Two brothers from New Jersey have been arrested for threatening to murder Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents and torture Department of Homeland Security spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin.
Ricardo Antonio Roman-Flores and Emilio Roman-Flores were charged by federal authorities after allegedly posting online that they intended to “torture and hang” McLaughlin in a medieval fashion. One brother reportedly wrote: “The Second Amendment is in place for moments like this. Shoot ICE on sight.”
In another message, the brothers stated: “We Americans should find you, tar you, feather you, and hang you as we did to anyone serving tyrants before the Revolutionary War.”
The Department of Homeland Security reported that Emilio Roman-Flores was charged with unlawful possession of an assault weapon, conspiracy to make terroristic threats, criminal coercion, threats, and cyber harassment. Ricardo Roman-Flores faced charges for conspiracy to make terroristic threats.
Authorities seized weapons from the brothers, including a pump shotgun, an AR-15-style rifle, and approximately twelve boxes of ammunition.
Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons stated that law enforcement would “find you, arrest you, and prosecute you to the fullest extent of the law” for any threats against federal officers. He noted that attacks on agents have surged by 8,000% in recent months due to violent rhetoric.
This incident follows a pattern of similar threats. In late November, Virginia Beach police arrested John Bennett, an assistant high school principal, and his brother Mark Bennett for discussing plans to attack ICE agents. The brothers allegedly planned to travel to Las Vegas to meet with others who would assist in the attacks.
Additionally, Mexican cartels have established a bounty system targeting ICE officers: $2,000 for gathering intelligence on agents; $5,000-$10,000 for non-lethal assaults; and up to $50,000 for assassinations of high-ranking officials.
Federal authorities have also arrested two illegal aliens for soliciting the murder of ICE agents.