A 24-year-old Kansas man has been arrested on federal charges after allegedly posting threats to shoot US President Donald Trump ahead of his rally near Wichita, US Department of Justice said.Jaden J Read, of Clearwater, Kansas, was taken into custody on Saturday and remains in federal custody pending a detention hearing. Prosecutors have filed a criminal complaint accusing him of threatening the president.The investigation began after a Crime Stoppers tip on October 15 directed authorities to comments allegedly posted by Read on Facebook in response to local news reports about Trump’s planned visit to the Wichita area.According to the Justice Department, Read commented on a KAKE News article: “Let’s shoot Trump honestly, where’s our shooter? I’m tired of living this money life.”He allegedly followed it with another comment: “I just got a 308 and 305 round and I’m killing this pedo.”Investigators also identified two comments allegedly posted in response to a KWCH 12 News article about the president’s visit. In one, Read wrote: “Can we shoot him in Kansas please I will myself.”A minute later, he allegedly added: “IK where your speech will be. Already mapped out roofs around. Finna get kirked since yall couldn’t help him.”US Attorney Ryan A Kriegshauser said the case highlighted the legal limits on speech involving threats of violence.“Political violence and threats of political violence will not be tolerated,” Kriegshauser said. He added: “The first amendment allows for robust disagreement but there are constraints. I caution people to stay within the bounds of constitutionally protected speech.”The US Secret Service, US Marshals Service, Kansas Bureau of Investigation, Kansas Highway Patrol and Wichita Police Department took part in the investigation.Trump held his rally on Monday at the Heartland Credit Union Arena in Park City, about 10 minutes from downtown Wichita. Local reports and the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office said one person was arrested near a designated free-speech area for failing to comply with a lawful traffic-control order.Eleven other people described as “uninvited individuals” were escorted out of the arena after causing disruptions.
