Hondo Man Who Threatened to Violently Overthrow the U.S. Government in 2025 Found Guilty by Federal Jury

SAN ANTONIO - A federal jury in San Antonio convicted a Hondo man today of one count of Interstate Threatening Communication, announced U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Texas, Justin R. Simmons.

According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Jay Anthony Villarreal, 25, left his home in Hondo on June 28, 2025, with the intent to carry out an attack in Washington D.C., to overthrow the government. Villarreal was armed with an AR-15 semi-automatic assault weapon, a .45 caliber semi-automatic pistol, and a 9mm semi-automatic pistol, along with extra loaded magazines and multiple boxes of ammunition for each gun. He also possessed in his vehicle a police scanner, binoculars, a Bible, and a copy of the Texas Penal Code.

As part of his plan to overthrow the government, Villarreal used social media in an effort to solicit military veterans to join him. A friend of Villarreal's in Maryland saw the social media post on the morning of June 29, 2025, viewed it as potential mass murder situation, and reported it to the FBI. Another of Villarreal's acquaintances from Hondo was disturbed by the messages and wanted to avert a mass killing so he reported it to the Hondo police. Furthermore, multiple family members and friends sent messages to Villarreal while he was on his drive from Hondo to Washington D.C., prompting him to turn around in the Beaumont area and return home on June 29 at approximately 8:00 pm. Later that day, FBI agents searched Villarreal's home, resulting in the discovery of two U.S. military smoke grenades-all in addition to the firearms and materials he had in his vehicle.

Villarreal was arrested on July 2, 2025. U.S. District Judge Fred Biery presided over a jury trial that began on June 15, 2026, and resulted in the guilty verdict. A sentencing hearing is currently scheduled for Sept. 21.

"Today, a federal jury found this defendant guilty beyond a reasonable doubt for threatening to carry out a violent attack in our Nation's capital," said U.S. Attorney Simmons. "Thankfully, in this case, friends and family members recognized the veracity of the threat and contacted the FBI, preventing what could have been a mass casualty event. Given the darkness that invades the minds of so many, and the prevalence of violent acts committed in the name of politics, it is more important now than ever to say something if you see something. That single decision can lead to a swift response and lives saved, as it did in this case. Special thanks to the FBI and Hondo Police for acting quickly and recognizing the seriousness of the situation."

"Threats of violence against the U.S. government or the community, particularly when coupled with access to firearms, demand the utmost seriousness," said Daniel Faith, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI San Antonio Field Office. "We commend the Hondo Police Department for its swift action and prompt reporting to the FBI. We also would like to thank members of the community who saw something and reported their concerns to law enforcement. This guilty verdict underscores the strength of our coordinated efforts through the FBI San Antonio Joint Terrorism Task Force and makes clear that those who threaten violence will be brought to justice."

The FBI-Joint Terrorism Task Force, including the San Antonio Police Department, Hondo Police Department, and UTSA Police Department investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Mark Roomberg and Kirk Mangels are prosecuting the case.

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