Metro-east man charged with threatening to kill ICE agents in Minneapolis
A Troy man who told the FBI he is mentally ill has been accused of posting a YouTube comment threatening to kill at least 50 federal immigration agents in Minneapolis, according to court records.
Jeffrey A. Mullinix, 67, was charged with one count of interstate communication with a threat to injure. He was released from custody Wednesday after prosecutors did not seek a detention hearing.
Charging documents allege Mullinix posted a comment on YouTube on Jan. 21 stating he has military experience, knows how to use his weapons and would bring a “pack full of weapons” to “knock at least 50 of the fake” military men out. The post appeared on a news video about U.S. Army soldiers possibly being deployed to Minnesota.
When FBI agents went to Mullinix’s home Jan. 22, he told them that he was “angry regarding ICE enforcement operations in Minneapolis. He stated that he wanted to take his two guns, go to Minneapolis, and he would kill ICE officers, although he stated that he was physically unable to do so due to health issues,” according to a criminal complaint filed Jan. 23.
“He said that he wanted to put fear into people and make them think about what they were doing,” the complaint alleges.
Mullinix also “indicated that he struggled with mental health issues and felt himself ‘getting out of control.’ He indicated that he has frequent suicidal thoughts and had stopped taking his medication for depression around Thanksgiving of 2025 because he had become ill.”
Two rifles were seized at his home, according to a Thursday news release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Illinois.
Mullinix’s alleged comments were made after the fatal shooting of Renée Good on Jan. 7 by a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, agent in Minneapolis and before Alex Pretti was shot dead by U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents on Saturday in the Minnesota city.
Good and Pretti were protesting the arrival of federal agents arresting people on immigration-related charges in Minneapolis.
Mullinix could not be reached for comment Thursday.
At his initial appearance Wednesday, Mullinix was represented by federal public defender Ethan Skaggs. Skaggs could not be reached for comment Thursday.
“Violence and threats against law enforcement officers can never be tolerated, and those responsible will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” U.S. Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft said in a Thursday news release. “At the same time, I call on everyone to lower the temperature and seek calm. Our country faces real challenges, but threats and violence only make things worse for our communities, our officers and the rule of law.”
Here is the full comment that allegedly was posted by Mullinix:
“I am will be on my way to minneapolis pack full of my weapons. I served in the Navy and prior Military. I know my weapons well. I also know I can knock at least 50 of the fake Militray foor men out in an instant before they get me. Be brave people Arm your selves to the teeth with what ever you can muster up. This past do on peaceful protest that is not working every man and woman should go to Minni armed to the teeth and know how to use your weapons. Dont fear if you die for your country and your freedoms let it be. Say good bys to your love ones and tell them you love them but freedom have to be saved and the Constitution have to be brough back. Your fighting for your children and their children and all those that follow 100 year from now. That is who your fighting for.”
An anonymous tipster contacted the FBI about the post.
