Man Indicted for Death Threats Against Noem and Bondi

Federal authorities have indicted Manuel G. Garcia, a Florida resident, for allegedly using social media to broadcast graphic death threats against South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem and former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi.

Former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem speaks during a conference. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack, File)

Federal grand jury cites interstate communication of threats

A federal grand jury returned an indictment charging Garcia with multiple counts of transmitting threats in interstate commerce. The details of the indictment describe a series of posts made in late 2023 and early 2024 that allegedly detailed violent acts against the public officials.

While the specific social media platform was not explicitly named in the initial reports, the prosecution focuses on the crossing of state lines via digital infrastructure, which elevates the case to federal jurisdiction. This legal mechanism is a standard tool for the Department of Justice when addressing digital threats against state-level officials that originate from outside their home jurisdictions.

Then-U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi speaks during a news conference on July 15, 2025, in Arlington, Va. (Alex Wong/Getty Images)

Specific allegations involving Noem and Bondi

The alleged threats against Governor Noem and Pam Bondi reportedly included gruesome descriptions of physical harm. Prosecutors contend that the nature of the messages moved beyond protected political speech and into the realm of "true threats," which are not protected by the First Amendment.

Garcia was apprehended following an investigation that traced the digital footprint of the posts back to his residence in Florida. The case highlights a continued trend of federal law enforcement prioritizing the protection of public figures amid a rise in digital harassment and targeted political intimidation.

A view of a Department of Justice logo on April 18, 2019, in Washington, D.C. (BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty Images)

Legal proceedings and potential penalties

Following the indictment, Garcia faces significant prison time if convicted on all counts of interstate communication of threats. Each count generally carries a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison.

The status of the legal proceedings indicates that Garcia will remain in custody pending further hearings. As the case moves toward trial, the burden of proof rests on the government to demonstrate that Garcia was the specific individual behind the account and that the messages met the legal threshold of a "willful threat" intended to cause fear or facilitate violence.