A 29-year-old man from St. Paul, Minnesota, named Tyler Maxon Avalos, has been arrested for allegedly posting a “murder-for-hire” message on TikTok regarding U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi. The post, which appeared on October 9, included a meme depicting Bondi’s photograph with a sniper rifle scope superimposed and a $45,000 reward for her assassination.
Avalos was taken into custody on October 16, accused of interstate transmission of a threat to injure another person, as cited in an FBI affidavit. The meme caption questioned actions when government officials do not serve the public. Another TikTok user reported the post to the FBI, leading to an emergency disclosure request to TikTok, which provided information on Avalos’s identity and location. The discover revealed his sign-up email, IP address, and phone model.
In response to the charges, Avalos’s attorney declared him “not guilty of any crime.” The FBI affidavit noted Avalos’s criminal history, which includes previous felony convictions. Following his arrest, a U.S. magistrate judge mandated conditions for his release, including restrictions on travel, substance use, and internet access as part of his mental health treatment regimen.
Federal authorities will need to demonstrate that Avalos’s post represented a “true threat” rather than being classified as hyperbolic speech, which could fall under First Amendment protections.
- Why it matters: This incident raises concerns about the use of social media for making threats and the legal implications for freedom of speech.
- The case highlights the responsive capabilities of law enforcement in addressing threats made online, which may deter similar future incidents.
- The latest: Avalos was granted conditional release, requiring GPS monitoring and compliance with mental health treatment.
Source: https://uk.news.yahoo.com/viral-tiktok-murder-hire-plot-151419894.html
Source: https://uk.news.yahoo.com/viral-tiktok-murder-hire-plot-151419894.html