Texas Man Pleads Guilty to Trump Death Threat
A Texas man faces years in federal prison after admitting he threatened to kill former President Donald Trump in a chilling social media post.
Robert Herrera, 52, appeared before U.S. District Judge Elizabeth S. Chestney in San Antonio on Wednesday, where he pleaded guilty to one count of making threats against the President of the United States, according to the Department of Justice. The charge carries a maximum sentence of five years behind bars and a $250,000 fine.
The Threat
The case stems from a July 10 Facebook comment Herrera made in response to a news story about Trump’s planned visit to Texas Hill Country following deadly summer floods. In his post, Herrera included a photo of Trump surrounded by Secret Service agents moments after the July 13, 2024, assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania, when Thomas M. Crooks fired at Trump with a sniper rifle and grazed his ear.
Herrera captioned the image: “I won’t miss.”
When another user warned him he would never get the chance, Herrera allegedly replied: “I’ll just come for you.” That comment was accompanied by a photo of an assault rifle and loaded magazines, prosecutors said.
Swift Arrest
Federal authorities acted quickly. The FBI, U.S. Secret Service, San Antonio Police Department, and Texas Department of Public Safety tracked down and arrested Herrera the same day he made the online threats.
“While the FBI fully supports and defends every American’s right to free speech, it is important to understand that threatening violence against any individual is not constitutionally protected speech—it is a federal crime,” said Aaron Tapp, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s San Antonio Field Office.
Awaiting Sentencing
Herrera remains in custody as he awaits sentencing. A hearing date has not yet been set. If the court imposes the maximum penalty, Herrera could spend up to five years in federal prison and pay a $250,000 fine.
The guilty plea underscores how seriously federal authorities take threats against public officials, particularly in the wake of last year’s near-fatal attempt on Trump’s life.
