Table of Contents
- Arrest and Charges
- The Viral TikTok Threats
- Legal Defense and Veteran Background
- Federal Monitoring and Response
- Broader Implications for Online Speech
- Sources
Wisconsin Man Arrested After Threatening ICE Agents
Andrew Stanton, a 38-year-old Marine Corps veteran from Kenosha, Wisconsin, is now in federal custody after allegedly using TikTok to call for the killing of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. Stanton was arrested on October 8, 2025, and formally indicted the following week on three federal charges related to threatening government officials.
According to court documents, Stanton faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted. The charges include:
- Threatening to assault, kidnap, or murder a U.S. official
- Sending threatening communications across state lines
- Stalking
Stanton pleaded not guilty during his appearance in U.S. District Court in Milwaukee on October 15.
The Viral TikTok Threats
Federal authorities say Stanton posted a series of TikTok videos in early October in which he directly targeted ICE agents involved in immigration enforcement operations under the Trump administration. In one particularly alarming clip, Stanton allegedly said: “It’s time we start shooting at you.”
The video quickly drew the attention of law enforcement after a tip was submitted to the Wisconsin Statewide Intelligence Center—a joint federal and state agency that monitors potential domestic threats.
Legal Defense and Veteran Background
Stanton’s attorney, John Bradley, emphasized that his client is presumed innocent and that the criminal complaint reflects only the government’s narrative. “It is important to remember that the contents of a criminal complaint represent one side of the story and are just allegations,” Bradley stated. “Mr. Stanton pled not guilty. He is presumed innocent, and we will vigorously defend against these charges in court.”
Court records note that Stanton served in the U.S. Marine Corps and was deployed during the Iraq War—a detail that has added complexity to public reactions and legal considerations in the case.
Federal Monitoring and Response
Federal investigators began tracking Stanton’s social media activity in late August 2025, following the intelligence tip. The rapid escalation from online rhetoric to federal charges highlights the Justice Department’s increasing scrutiny of digital threats against law enforcement, especially those involving federal agencies like ICE.
This case joins a growing list of incidents where social media posts—particularly on platforms like TikTok, X (formerly Twitter), and Telegram—have triggered federal investigations under statutes designed to protect public officials from credible threats.
Broader Implications for Online Speech
Legal experts say the Stanton case raises critical questions about the boundaries of free speech versus criminal threats in the digital age. While the First Amendment protects controversial or offensive opinions, it does not shield individuals who issue specific, credible threats of violence.
Civil liberties advocates warn that aggressive prosecution of online speech could chill legitimate political dissent—especially amid heightened tensions around immigration policy. Meanwhile, law enforcement agencies argue that in an era of mass shootings and targeted attacks, even digital threats must be taken seriously.
