A 27-year-old former graduate teaching assistant at Illinois State University, Derek Lopez, has been arrested by a joint operation of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the United States Secret Service (USSS) after allegedly making threats against President Donald Trump. According to official materials, the investigation followed online postings and in-person activities that triggered federal criminal charges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What Happened<\/strong>: “The arrest follows a month-long investigation coordinated with the above agencies, which also included the Illinois State University Police Department, regarding Lopez’s online and in-person activities,” according to an FBI memo obtained by Fox News Digital<\/a>. “Lopez is alleged to have recently made threats against a sitting President, which prompted the current federal charges.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n The FBI described the threats as \u201cheinous\u201d and issued a public message that threatening violence against public officials\u2014or any American\u2014is unacceptable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Lopez appeared in federal court on Wednesday afternoon and is now in custody pending further proceedings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n What Preceded The Arrest<\/strong>: On October 17 he was arrested by ISU police on misdemeanor charges of disorderly conduct and criminal damage to property after confronting a tabling event by the conservative student group Turning Point USA and flipping their table. <\/p>\n\n\n\n In the viral video, he is seen telling a student, \u201cWell, you know, Jesus did it, so you know I gotta do it, right?\u201d before overturning the table. He then walked away, saying, \u201cThanks guys, have a great day.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n The university later confirmed that Lopez had been relieved of his duties as a graduate teaching assistant \u201cpending further investigation.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Federal officials say a month-long probe, aided by local law enforcement and the university police, uncovered threats directed at the sitting president. An FBI memo obtained by Fox News Digital states that Lopez \u201crecently made threats against a sitting President, which prompted the current federal charges.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Before the federal case emerged, Lopez \u2014 then a graduate student and TA at ISU \u2014 had already drawn attention for disrupting conservative student activity on campus. <\/p>\n\n\n\n