A Columbus, Ohio, man accused of making violent threats against Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents appeared before a federal judge Thursday and will remain in custody as his case proceeds.
Justin Novoa, 21, faces federal charges including threatening to assault or murder a federal law enforcement officer and transmitting interstate threats. He waived his detention hearing and is being held without bond at the Franklin County Jail pending trial.
According to court records, Homeland Security Investigations began probing Novoa after discovering threatening posts on X under the username “@Father2High.” One post urged people to “blast every ICE agent they find,” while another declared he “can’t wait to shoot” ICE agents and supporters of President Trump.
Investigators obtained account records from X Corp. linking the account to Novoa through an email address and Columbus-area phone number. A search warrant revealed additional posts containing antisemitic rhetoric, including praise for Adolf Hitler and references to gas chambers, with repeated calls for violence against Jewish people.
On December 20, 2025, federal agents executed a search warrant at Novoa’s residence. According to filings, Novoa admitted responsibility for the posts and remarked, “Alright, you got me. That was me.” Agents seized multiple firearms and ammunition from his bedroom, along with tactical gear and other items.
Novoa has not been charged with any firearms violations and does not appear to be legally prohibited from possessing weapons. He has no significant criminal history beyond minor traffic citations. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for February 5 as prosecutors move forward with the case.