Butler resident, 32, accused of making threats against Trump, Musk, ICE agents on YouTube

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A Butler man has been arrested and charged with making online death threats against President Donald Trump, Elon Musk and Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents.

The U.S. Justice Department on Friday announced that Shawn Monper, 32, made the statements between Jan. 15 and April 5 in YouTube videos under the name "Mr. Satan." The FBI's National Threat Operations Section received an "emergency disclosure" about the threats on April 8 and traced them to Monper's residence in Butler.

According to Acting U.S. Attorney Troy Rivetti's statement, Monper obtained a firearms permit shortly after Trump's inauguration and made comments on YouTube in February that he had "bought several guns and been stocking up on ammo since Trump got in office.” Over two weeks in March, Monper allegedly said he was going to "do a mass shooting" and that he'd been buying one gun a month since the election, in addition to ammunition and body armor.

“Nah, we just need to start killing people, Trump, Elon, all the heads of agencies Trump appointed, and anyone who stands in the way," Monper allegedly said on Feb. 17. "Remember, we are the majority, MAGA is a minority of the country, and by the time its time to make the move, they will be weakened, many will be crushed by these policies, and they will want revenge too. American Revolution 2.0."

On March 4, Monper said he was going to "assassinate (Trump) myself." In April, he said he considered ICE agents "domestic terrorists" and if he saw one he would "open fire on them."

Butler was the site of the July 13, 2024, attempted assassination of Trump by Bethel Park resident Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, who opened fire at an outdoor rally. One of Crooks' bullets grazed Trump's ear as he was nearly 10 minutes into his speech. Another bullet killed volunteer firefighter Corey Comperatore.

“I want to applaud the outstanding and courageous investigative work of the FBI and the Butler Township Police Department, who thankfully identified and apprehended this individual before he could carry out his threats against President Trump’s life and the lives of other innocent Americans,” Attorney General Pamela Bondi said in a statement. “Rest assured that whenever and wherever threats of assassination or mass violence occur, this Department of Justice will find, arrest, and prosecute the suspect to the fullest extent of the law and seek the maximum appropriate punishment.”

Monper was arrested Wednesday and is being held at least until a preliminary hearing, which has been scheduled for 1 p.m. Monday.

Matthew Rink can be reached at mrink@timesnews.com or on X at @ETNRink.