A Winchester, Virginia man, Frank Lucio Carillo, 66, has been arrested and charged with making threats against the Vice President of the United States. The arrest followed an extensive investigation into thousands of online posts targeting high-ranking public officials, including the President, the FBI Director, and others.
Carillo made his initial court appearance in U.S. District Court in Roanoke, Virginia, following his arrest last week at his Winchester home. He faces a federal criminal complaint for one count of making threats against the Vice President, Kamala Harris.
“Open political discourse is a cornerstone of our American experience. We can disagree. We can argue and we can debate. However, when those disagreements cross the line to threats of violence, law enforcement must step in,” stated United States Attorney Christopher R. Kavanaugh of the Western District of Virginia.
Special Agent in Charge Stanley M. Meador of the FBI’s Richmond Division emphasized the seriousness of the threats, saying, “The FBI’s mission is to protect the American people. We take all threats of violence seriously, and we will investigate them to the fullest and hold those responsible accountable.”
The investigation began on July 27, 2024, when the Maricopa County, Arizona, Recorder’s Office alerted the FBI’s Phoenix Office about potential threats made on the social media platform GETTR by a user named “joemadarats1.” The FBI’s subsequent search of the account revealed approximately 4,359 posts and replies targeting various public officials, including President Joseph Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, and FBI Director Christopher Wray. Vice President Harris was mentioned 19 times, with numerous threats of violence. In one particularly alarming post from February 2024, “joemadarats1” claimed he had his “AR-15 LOCKED AND LOADED.”
Using GETTR subscriber information, authorities identified Carillo as the user behind the threats and located his residence in Winchester, Virginia. On August 2, 2024, FBI agents executed a search warrant at Carillo’s home, seizing a 9 mm pistol, an AR-15 rifle, and thousands of rounds of ammunition.
The investigation involved collaboration between the FBI offices in Richmond, Virginia, and Phoenix, Arizona, as well as the United States Secret Service. The coordinated efforts of these agencies highlight the commitment to protecting public officials and ensuring that threats of violence are thoroughly investigated and prosecuted. Carillo’s arrest underscores the importance of monitoring online threats and the role of law enforcement in preventing potential acts of violence. The case serves as a reminder that while free speech and political discourse are fundamental rights, they do not extend to threats of harm or violence against individuals.
