Ilhan Omar Death Threat: Wichita Man Charged | Facebook Post

WICHITA, Mo. – A Wichita man is facing federal charges after allegedly threatening to kill U.S. Representative Ilhan Omar on Facebook, according to prosecutors. Adam Lee Osborn, 60, was charged Thursday wiht using interstate communications to threaten injury and interfering with a federal official.

Threats Against Omar Follow Minneapolis Incident

Teh charges come days after a separate incident involving Representative Omar in Minneapolis.

• Osborn allegedly posted,”I’m going to kill Ilhan Omar” on Facebook.
• He reportedly admitted to writing the posts during questioning by law enforcement.
• Osborn also allegedly expressed a desire for harm to come to New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani.
• The case highlights ongoing concerns about threats against public officials.

The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) received a “voluntary emergency disclosure request” from Facebook on January 23 regarding the threatening post, which was written in white text on a purple background. Facebook provided user details linking the post to Osborn’s account.

Investigators from the KBI and Wichita Police Department interviewed Osborn at his Wichita apartment. When confronted about the Facebook posts, Osborn reportedly admitted, “yeah, I wrote those.”

Allegations Extend Beyond omar

During a subsequent interview, Osborn stated he was blind and lacked the means to carry out his threats against Omar. however, he also referenced recently elected new York Mayor Zohran Mamdani, stating, “someone needed to take his sorry ass out too, and they need to.”

Osborn allegedly told investigators he hoped his posts would “maybe provoke someone to handle business.” When pressed on the meaning of “handle business,” he responded, “take ’em out.” Further questioning revealed that “take ’em out” meant “kill them,” according to investigators.

Wichita police and KBI agents than contacted the FBI Field Office, which prepared the affidavit supporting the criminal charges.

Osborn made his initial appearance in federal court in Wichita on January 26 and remains in federal custody. An arraignment and detention hearing are scheduled for February 4.

What constitutes a federal crime in cases of online threats? Using interstate communications – like social media – to transmit a threat to injure another person, or to interfere with a federal official’s duties, can be prosecuted at the federal level.

Did you know? Threats against members of Congress have been increasing in recent years, prompting heightened security measures and federal investigations.

Pro tip report any credible threats you see online to law enforcement and the social media platform.

Reader question What role do social media companies play in monitoring and reporting potential threats?

If you have information about a crime, contact your local police department. To remain anonymous, contact the Greater Kansas City Crime Stoppers Tips Hotline at 816-474-TIPS (8477), submit a tip online at https://www.p3tips.com/tipform.aspx?ID=452&CX=659cd5, or use the free mobile app at Related