SEDGWCK COUNTY —A Kansas man is now a convicted felons after pleading guilty in a case involving posting threats on social media to murder federal officials.
According to court documents, Joaquin Hernandez, 24, pleaded guilty to one count of interstate communications with a threat to injure.
In January 2026, Hernandez posting a video on TikTok where he threatened to shoot Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents point blank if he saw them in Wichita. “If I see ICE activity in Wichita, Kansas, there’s gonna be hell to pay,” he said in the video, according to the criminal complaint.
Hernandez admited to making the statements knowing that his threat against ICE wasn’t mere political argument or in a joking manner.
“Our country prides itself on being one where people can express their political views, but they must do so in a responsible manner. These two defendants crossed the line into criminality by making threats of violence,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan A. Kriegshauser. “Threats of political violence are illegal and won’t be tolerated.”
“The First Amendment protects every individual’s right to free speech. However, it is not a shield for enticing violence or criminal activity. Anyone who advocates violence or communicates a credible threat against public officials, law enforcement, or any individual should expect swift and thorough response from the FBI. We will investigate these matters aggressively with assistance from our law enforcement partners and United States Attorney’s Office by pursuing every available legal avenue to hold offenders accountable," said Chris Ormerod, FBI Kansas City Special Agent in Charge.
The Wichita Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) are investigating both cases.