PITTSBURGH, Pa. - A resident of Butler, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to making threats to assault and murder President Donald J. Trump, other United States officials, and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced.

Shawn Monper, 33, pleaded guilty before United States District Judge W. Scott Hardy to two counts of threatening to assault and murder United States officials and federal law enforcement officers with the intent to impede, intimidate, interfere with, and retaliate against the officials and agents while they were engaged in, and on account of, the performance of official duties. As part of his plea agreement, Monper also accepted responsibility for the other counts for which he was charged.

In connection with the guilty plea, the Court was advised that, on April 8, 2025, the Federal Bureau of Investigation National Threat Operations Section (NTOS) received an emergency disclosure regarding threats posted to YouTube by user "Mr Satan." The subsequent federal investigation affirmed that the internet activity associated with "Mr Satan" corresponded with Shawn Monper's residence in the Western District of Pennsylvania.

The investigation further established that Monper sought and obtained a firearms permit shortly following President Trump's inauguration. In February 2025, Monper commented using his "Mr Satan" account: "I have bought several guns and been stocking up on ammo since Trump got in office." Further, in March 2025, Monper posted: "Eventually im going to do a mass shooting." One week later, Monper commented: "I have been buying 1 gun a month since the election, body armor, and ammo."

Investigators determined that Monper posted several threatening statements regarding President Trump, other United States officials, and ICE agents during the period between January 15, 2025, and April 5, 2025, including the two to which Monper specifically pleaded guilty: in February, "Nah, we just need to start killing people, Trump, Elon, all the heads of agencies Trump appointed, and anyone who stands in the way…" and, in mid-March, "ICE are terrorist people, we need to start killing them." On April 9, 2025, law enforcement arrested Monper on federal charges based on these threats, and he has been detained since that time.

Judge Hardy scheduled Monper's sentencing for August 12, 2026. The law provides for a maximum total sentence on each count of up to 10 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, or both. Under the federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Brendan J. McKenna is prosecuting this case on behalf of the United States.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and Butler Township Police Department conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Monper.