Illinois Man Arrested, Charged With Threatening to Shoot President Trump

An Edwardsville, Illinois man has been arrested and charged with making threats to shoot President Donald Trump on social media.

According to U.S. Secret Service Special Agent Vincent Pescitelli, 45-year-old Joseph Lynn Pickett threatened to “take the life of, to kidnap, and to inflict bodily harm” on Trump via Facebook.

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The Belleville News-Democrat reported Pickett’s social media post read:

“Before I die I want our president and congress to sign a treaty to never side with Russia or any enemy of the United States of America! If one will then that person deserves to be shot,” his post read. “Guess what Trump? I’m waiting for the right time…and I KNOW your (sic) Putin’s (expletive)! The secret service now has a heads up as to my plan to assassinate Trump…let’s see if they act.”

After the original post, Pickett continued to comment, saying he was “still waiting” for the Secret Service to knock on his door and arrest him.

“Honestly am I really going to have to kill trump before our fine Government (the jack booted thugs they are) actually takes me into custody for threatening to assassinate President Donald Trump?” Pickett wrote. “I mean he sold our country to The Russians. He is a Benedict Arnold but hey the (expletive) is our President even though he needs a blade in his neck. And you dumb, asses who stick up for him…who’s gonna protect you when someone like me comes t (sic) take you out.”

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Pickett was charged on June 15, 2017, with threatening the president of the United States and is being held without bail.

The BND says police in Troy, IL were familiar with Pickett, responding to his home 19 times between 1999 and 2007 for calls including suicide threats and aggravated assault.

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