Undocumented immigrant charged with offering reward to kill ICE agents apprehended with a gun

Texas Arrest of Immigrant for Threatening ICE Officer

A 23-year-old undocumented immigrant was taken into custody in Texas on Tuesday, accused of offering $10,000 for the assassination of an ICE officer via TikTok. Eduardo Aguilar, a Dallas resident, faces charges linked to transmitting threats across state or national lines, as reported by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

On October 9, Aguilar shared a TikTok video in Spanish, reportedly encouraging “10 men of Dallas who are determined and fearless.” He went on to offer “10K for each ICE agent,” pairing the message with emojis interpreted as symbols of death.

During his arrest, authorities discovered a loaded 9mm handgun in Aguilar’s vehicle, which constitutes a felony in the U.S. According to DHS, Aguilar entered the country illegally in 2018 as an unaccompanied minor and had a final removal order issued against him by an immigration judge in February 2019.

The use of those specific emojis in his post, as noted by officials, is significant since they are widely understood to express a desire for death.

Aguilar’s prior legal troubles in the U.S. include liquor law violations, as indicated by DHS. Tricia McLaughlin, the DHS Assistant Secretary, emphasized the dangers of such threats on social media and the grave risks to American lives they pose.

“Thanks to the prompt actions of law enforcement, this individual, who was offering a $10,000 cash reward to kill an ICE officer, is now in custody and facing serious federal charges,” McLaughlin remarked. “We are relieved that he was apprehended before any harm could come to our law enforcement personnel.”

Aguilar made his initial court appearance on Wednesday in front of a federal judge in Dallas, who decided he would remain in federal custody. If found guilty, he could be sentenced to up to five years in federal prison.