Overview
- Justin Mesael Novoa, 21, of Columbus, was arrested and federally charged with threatening to assault or murder a federal law enforcement officer and with making threatening interstate communications.
- Charging documents cite posts from June and Nov. 9, 2025, including a message about wanting to “shoot” ICE agents and “MAGA” supporters attributed to an account investigators linked to Novoa.
- Agents executed a Dec. 20 search of Novoa’s home and seized two rifles, two shotguns, a handgun, ammunition, helmets, and body armor, and the complaint says he admitted writing the posts.
- X provided account data after a summons in December, and Google separately alerted the FBI to threats linked to Oklahoma resident Taylor Ryan Prigmore, who allegedly posted about killing agents on YouTube.
- Novoa is held by the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office with a preliminary hearing set for Feb. 5 before Magistrate Judge Kimberly Jolson, and prosecutors note potential penalties of up to 10 years for threatening a federal officer and up to five years for threatening communications.