Florida Man Arrested Over Alleged 'Shoot to Kill' Death Threats Against ICE Agents
A 72-year-old man from Cape Coral, Florida, was taken into custody by federal agents Thursday after allegedly posting multiple threats against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers on social media.
Joseph Rocco Giancola Jr., who used a fake profile under the name "Cain Delon," made several disturbing posts that included calls to violence against ICE agents, with some messages directly referencing President Donald Trump's immigration policies. The messages were reportedly seen by federal officials as threats of violence and harm towards officers carrying out immigration enforcement.
According to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officials, there has been an 8,000 percent increase in death threats against ICE agents compared to the same period last year, sparking a wider investigation into online harassment and violence aimed at law enforcement. The agency claims that threatening and assaulting federal officers is a serious crime, with charges pending for Giancola.
Critics of the Trump administration's immigration policies have pushed back against what they see as aggressive tactics by ICE agents, saying that the actions are in direct opposition to First Amendment rights. However, DHS officials argue that threats of violence or harm must be taken seriously and prosecute those who engage in such behavior.
The incident highlights growing tensions between law enforcement agencies and individuals exercising their constitutional right to free speech against immigration policies they disagree with. As one acting special agent in charge said, "While the First Amendment protects free speech, it does not extend to threats of violence or actions that incite harm."
With charges pending, Giancola is now facing serious consequences for his alleged online activities. His case underscores the ongoing struggle between those who support stricter immigration laws and those who advocate for individual freedoms.
A 72-year-old man from Cape Coral, Florida, was taken into custody by federal agents Thursday after allegedly posting multiple threats against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers on social media.
Joseph Rocco Giancola Jr., who used a fake profile under the name "Cain Delon," made several disturbing posts that included calls to violence against ICE agents, with some messages directly referencing President Donald Trump's immigration policies. The messages were reportedly seen by federal officials as threats of violence and harm towards officers carrying out immigration enforcement.
According to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officials, there has been an 8,000 percent increase in death threats against ICE agents compared to the same period last year, sparking a wider investigation into online harassment and violence aimed at law enforcement. The agency claims that threatening and assaulting federal officers is a serious crime, with charges pending for Giancola.
Critics of the Trump administration's immigration policies have pushed back against what they see as aggressive tactics by ICE agents, saying that the actions are in direct opposition to First Amendment rights. However, DHS officials argue that threats of violence or harm must be taken seriously and prosecute those who engage in such behavior.
The incident highlights growing tensions between law enforcement agencies and individuals exercising their constitutional right to free speech against immigration policies they disagree with. As one acting special agent in charge said, "While the First Amendment protects free speech, it does not extend to threats of violence or actions that incite harm."
With charges pending, Giancola is now facing serious consequences for his alleged online activities. His case underscores the ongoing struggle between those who support stricter immigration laws and those who advocate for individual freedoms.
! Like, what's wrong with him? Threatening ICE agents over social media is NOT OKAY, you know? 
I get it, folks are passionate about immigration policies, but taking it out on law enforcement is just not cool. And those fake profiles? Come on, dude! You can't even be honest about who you are, you gotta make up a whole new identity 
. The First Amendment is all well and good, but there's such a thing as boundaries, you feel me? 
These agencies need to keep us safe, and if someone's going to threaten them, they gotta face the music. It's not about being strict or harsh, it's about keeping people alive 
.
. I feel bad for the agents, they're just doing their job, you know? 
But at the same time, can't we have a convo about immigration policies without resorting to threats? It's all about finding that balance, right? 
The First Amendment is important, but so are public safety and national security. I don't think Giancola intended to incite violence or anything, but his words did go out there... 
Anyway, this case is definitely gonna be a big one 
, stay tuned!
& now dey're sayin it's ok 2 be all aggressive online cuz of politics 
but like, threats r serious business 
u cant just b mean & expect 2 get away w/ it 
anyway, its def scary when ppl use fake profiles 2 make threats & dey think dey can avoid accountability 
gotta keep an eye on online activity n report suspicious stuff ASAP 
I mean, 8,000 percent increase in death threats? That sounds like a total fabricated number to me. What's really going on here? Is it just the government trying to silence dissenting voices? And what about the whole "First Amendment" thing? Is that even being enforced here? 
, posting threats against ICE agents on social media? 
that's like, super serious 
, can't just say what you think online without consequences 
. i mean i get it, some ppl are really upset about immigration policies 
, gotta respect the law and the guys/gals in uniform 
? that's like what this guy is doing in real life 
.
I'm not saying Giancola's actions were cool or anything, but come on, 8,000 percent increase in death threats? That's just a lot of anxiety for law enforcement officers trying to do their job 
. Let's just have a respectful conversation about things instead of resorting to hate mail or threats online 
.
You can criticize the government all day long, but at least have some respect for human life, right? 
This is just getting out of hand, folks... an 8,000% increase in death threats? That's insane! 
. I mean, what's next? Threats against police officers, teachers, or healthcare workers? 
. Glad they're cracking down on this stuff 
... not cool, dude. anyway, gotta give props to the acting special agent who's keeping it real and saying that free speech doesn't extend to threats of violence 
...
This guy might get some serious time in the joint, but let's also talk about systemic issues here... it feels like immigration policies are being really polarizing people right now 
.
. We need to find ways to express ourselves without puttin others in harm's way 
. I feel for the ICE agents, dey do their job and deserve our respect 
. We gotta keep talkin' about this stuff so we can find a middle ground 
.
but that's not an excuse for threatening their safety. We need to find a way to have these conversations in a more constructive and respectful manner 
? anyway, i guess you can't just post stuff online and expect it to be funny... unless you're me 
. seriously though, threats of violence are never okay, but come on, 8k% increase in death threats? that's like saying someone's really passionate about pineapple pizza 
.