Florida man arrested, accused of graphicly threatening to kill Biden
President Joe Biden speaks at a news conference following the NATO Summit in Washington, Thursday, July 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)(Matt Rourke | AP)
By Chasity Maynard and Amanda Alvarado
Published: Jul. 17, 2024 at 9:23 AM CDT|Updated: 59 minutes ago
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV/Gray News) - A Florida man was arrested after federal authorities accused him of making multiple violent threats against the lives of President Joe Biden and a Secret Service agent.
Jason Alday is facing three federal charges of making threatening communication, making threats against the president of the United States and making threats against federal officers.
In court documents, a Secret Service agent described a series of statements made in June and July by Alday where he allegedly threatened to violently kill Biden and one of the Secret Service agents investigating Alday.
The Secret Service started investigating Alday in June when he allegedly told a healthcare provider, “I don’t like President Biden. I want to kill him, slit his throat.”
A few days later, a Secret Service agent traveled to Florida and interviewed Alday with Gadsden County Sheriff’s deputies. During the interview, Alday denied threatening the president.
According to a criminal complaint, Alday became agitated with the agent’s questioning and stated that he did not like Biden.
The Secret Service said Alday then began posting violent threats on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Alday allegedly posted, “Sources: Joe Biden’s health is declining rapidly, Not doing too good at all. Should I finish him off?” on X.
Other social media posts mentioned in the court documents included racial slurs and references the Secret Service agent who questioned Alday.
Other posts allegedly written by Alday mention wanting the Secret Service agent “dead” and that he will “slit Biden’s throat.”
On Monday, the U.S. Magistrate judge approved a motion to keep Alday in custody.
“The evidence in the case is strong and provides probable cause to believe Defendant committed the offenses as charged,” the order said.
The judge in the trial said he was worried about Alday’s mental state and cited a history of “competency problems,” according to court documents.
Alday’s lawyer called his mother as a witness. She testified that her son has a history of mental illness and relies on her as a caretaker, according to court documents.
Alday’s lawyer said that he was not capable of carrying out the threats he was accused of making.
The judge said Alday is a threat to the community and he remains in federal custody.
