CLARKSBURG, WV (LOOTPRESS) – A Clarksburg man has pleaded guilty in federal court to making threats against President Donald J. Trump and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of West Virginia.
Federal prosecutors said Cody Lee Smith, 20, admitted to making threats to kill the president and harm ICE agents.
According to court statements, the Harrison County Sheriff’s Department reported on Jan. 17, 2026, that Smith had posted threats on social media, including threats to attack and kill ICE agents and President Trump. Homeland Security and ICE agents reviewed Smith’s Instagram posts and confirmed multiple threats directed at President Trump, his supporters and federal law enforcement.
Prosecutors said Smith also sent a direct Instagram message to Donald J. Trump Jr. that contained a sexually violent threat against President Trump.
On Jan. 18, 2026, Smith allegedly called the ICE tip line and threatened to kill ICE agents in Clarksburg, as well as the operator and the operator’s family.
Smith faces up to five years in federal prison for the charge involving threats against the president and up to 10 years for the threats against ICE agents. His sentence will be determined by a federal district judge after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew Cogar is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government.
The investigation was conducted by Homeland Security Investigations, the U.S. Secret Service, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the West Virginia State Police and the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office.
The case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide Department of Justice initiative aimed at combating cartels and transnational criminal organizations, reducing violent crime and addressing illegal immigration.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael John Aloi presided over the proceedings.
