Crime / Politics / World News
A New York man who threatened to kill President Joe Biden last year on social media has been sentenced to six months in prison and ordered to undergo mental health treatment, a lighter sentence than the Department of Justice had sought.
Details of the Threat
Troy Kelly, 19, posted multiple threats against the president on the platform X (formerly Twitter) in May 2024. One post read:
“Gonna put a bullet in your head if I ever catch you. Get the f— out of office.”
Kelly’s posts were made in response to Biden’s message celebrating International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia, in which the president expressed solidarity with LGBTQI+ individuals.
Investigators traced the posts to an IP address in Schroon Lake, New York, approximately 250 miles north of Manhattan, and confirmed that Kelly was behind the account.
Court Proceedings and Sentence
Kelly pleaded guilty to one count of making threats against the president. Chief U.S. District Judge Brenda Sannes, an Obama appointee, opted to deviate from the Trump administration’s recommended sentence of two years. Instead, Kelly received:
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Six months in prison
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Participation in a mental health treatment program
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Three years of supervised release
Kelly’s lawyer, Timothy Austin, argued for no jail time, citing Kelly’s youth, immaturity, and prior traumatic experiences. Austin highlighted the role of social media and political rhetoric in influencing his client.
Additional Findings
During the investigation, federal agents seized two black powder rifles with optics from Kelly’s home. Further review of his social media activity revealed continued threats, including:
“We should just off this old f— already.”
“Biden. Your time’s coming. If not by my hand then someone else’s. You’ll see.”
In interviews with federal authorities, Kelly admitted to the posts and stated:
“If I could, I would.”
Lawyer’s Statement
Austin said Kelly has benefited from mental health treatment during pretrial release and that the prosecution served as a “stark wake-up call.” He emphasized that Kelly now understands the seriousness of his actions and the consequences of a felony conviction.
“He appreciates the very real consequences of his actions and realizes he must pay a steep price,” Austin said.
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