A Rochester man is facing a federal charge after authorities say he made online threats to kill President Donald Trump’s son, Donald Trump Jr.
U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced that 39-year-old James Eckert Jr. has been charged by criminal complaint with making threats to kill, kidnap, or inflict bodily harm upon a member of the immediate family of the President. If convicted, the charge carries a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison.
According to the criminal complaint, the U.S. Secret Service was alerted on June 18 after multiple threats were posted in the live chat during Donald Trump Jr.’s “Triggered with Donald Trump Jr.” podcast. Investigators allege the messages were posted from an account using Eckert’s name and included repeated threats to kill Trump Jr.
Federal authorities also allege Eckert streamed himself on the video platform Rumble while viewing the podcast and continued making similar threats, both verbally and through the livestream’s chat. Investigators say the threats also targeted Rumble’s chief executive officer.
The complaint further alleges that earlier this month, Eckert posted separate threats on Facebook directed at Rochester Mayor Malik Evans and New York State Senator Samra Brouk. According to prosecutors, one post threatened the mayor’s family, while another comment on Brouk’s official Facebook page stated that she was “going to die.”
Eckert made his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark W. Pedersen and was ordered held pending a detention hearing scheduled for July 20.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Louis A. Testani following an investigation by the U.S. Secret Service and the Rochester Police Department.
