Ritchie County Man Admits to Inciting Violence Against Law Enforcement

CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA - A Pennsboro, West Virginia, man has admitted to solicitating others online to attack federal law enforcement, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew L. Harvey.

Christopher Bentley, 34, pleaded guilty to solicitation to commit a crime of violence. According to court documents, Bentley issued several statements on his Facebook page, encouraging people to kill Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. Several posts included information about body armor, firearms capable of penetrating it, and vulnerable areas not protected by a bulletproof vest.

"Targeting federal law enforcement officers is not just dangerous-it is an attack on the rule of law itself," said U.S. Attorney Matthew L. Harvey. "Soliciting violence online is a serious federal crime, and we will respond decisively to protect the men and women who keep our communities safe."

Bentley faces up to 20 years in federal prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew Cogar is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government.

The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael John Aloi presided.