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A man from Clarksburg, West Virginia, has admitted his guilt to making threats against President Donald J. Trump and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of West Virginia announced the plea, which stems from a series of online posts and direct messages.
According to information presented in court, Cody Lee Smith, 20, confessed to threatening the lives of the President and ICE agents. The Harrison County Sheriff’s Department initially reported the social media threats on January 17, 2026, noting that Smith had posted intentions to attack and kill ICE agents and President Trump. A subsequent review by Homeland Security and ICE agents confirmed multiple threats targeting the President, his supporters, and federal law enforcement personnel via his Instagram activity. The same day, Smith also sent a direct message to Donald J. Trump Jr. containing a sexually violent threat directed at President Trump. The following day, January 18, 2026, Smith contacted the ICE tip line and issued threats to kill ICE agents in Clarksburg, as well as the operator of the tip line and their family.
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Smith faces a potential sentence of up to five years in federal prison for the charge related to threatening the President. Additionally, he could receive up to ten years for the threats made against ICE agents. The final sentencing will be determined by a federal district court judge, who will consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other relevant legal factors. This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative by the Department of Justice aimed at dismantling cartels and transnational criminal organizations, combating violent crime, and addressing illegal immigration. Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew Cogar is prosecuting the case for the government.
The investigation involved the collaborative efforts of Homeland Security Investigations, the U.S. Secret Service, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the West Virginia State Police, and the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office. U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael John Aloi presided over the proceedings.
Article by Mel Anara, based upon information from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Northern District of West Virginia.
Do you believe we got something wrong? Please read our publishing standards and corrections policy.
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