Troy Kelly, a 20-year-old resident of Crown Point, New York, pleaded guilty to threatening President Biden. The plea was entered in Albany federal court, where Kelly admitted that in May 2024 he posted a threat to kill the President on a social media platform and intended for it to be understood as such. In his online post responding to President Biden, Kelly wrote: “[g]onna put a bullet in your head if I ever catch you.”
Acting United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III commented on the case: “We all witnessed the horrible attempt on President Trump’s life last July. Threatening to kill the President—any President: Republican, Democrat, or otherwise—is not First Amendment protected speech, it is illegal. My office takes threats against any public official seriously, and the conviction of Troy Kelly is a prime example. I thank the Secret Service, HSI, and the New York State Police for their work on this investigation.”
Michael Nichols, United States Secret Service Resident Agent in Charge of the Albany Resident Office stated: “Threats made to anyone under the protective purview of the United States Secret Service are a top priority and are investigated thoroughly. We value our investigative partnerships with HSI and the New York State Police, and we greatly appreciate the strong working relationship between the United States Secret Service Albany Resident Office and the Northern District United States Attorney’s Office.”
Erin Keegan, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations’ Buffalo Field Office said: “Troy Kelly’s guilty plea underscores federal law enforcement’s shared commitment to treating each and every threat seriously. Today’s conviction should send a stark message to those who choose to threaten elected officials and government personnel: we will find you and ensure you are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
Kelly is scheduled for sentencing on December 22, 2025. He faces up to five years in prison. In addition to possible imprisonment, Chief Judge Brenda K. Sannes may impose up to three years of supervised release after his sentence and a fine of up to $250,000. As a result of his felony conviction, Kelly will also lose his right to own firearms.
The investigation was conducted by the United States Secret Service and Homeland Security Investigations with assistance from New York State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joseph S. Hartunian and Cyrus P.W. Rieck are prosecuting.
