(File Photo of a Gavel)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced yesterday that 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. ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) agents. Thirty-three-year-old Shawn Monper pleaded guilty 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. Monper also accepted responsibility for the other counts for which he was charged as part of his plea agreement. In connection with the guilty plea, the Court was advised that, on April 8th, 2025, the Federal Bureau of Investigation National Threat Operations Section (NTOS) received an emergency disclosure regarding threats posted to YouTube by the user called “Mr Satan.” The subsequent federal investigation affirmed that the internet activity associated with “Mr Satan” corresponded with Monper’s residence in the Western District of Pennsylvania. The investigation further established that Monper sought and obtained a firearms permit
shortly following the inauguration of President Trump last year. In February of 2025, Monper commented using his “Mr Satan” account: “I have bought several guns and been stocking up on ammo since Trump got in office.” Furthermore, in March of 2025, Monper posted: “Eventually I’m 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 15th, 2025, and April 5th, 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.” Law enforcement arrested Monper on April 9th, 2025 on federal charges based on these threats, and he has been detained since that time. United States District Judge W. Scott Hardy scheduled his sentencing for August 12th, 2026. Monper could face a maximum total sentence on each count of up to ten years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, or both, provided by the law.