Illinois Man Arrested Threatening President Trump Faces Five-Year Sentence

Derek Lopez, a 27-year-old Illinois man and Illinois State University graduate student, was arrested on federal charges for making threats against President Donald J. Trump. The arrest, which occurred in El Paso without incident during a coordinated traffic stop, involved the FBI, U.S. Secret Service, El Paso Police, and other local agencies. Lopez faces up to five years in prison if convicted and is scheduled for a preliminary hearing in Peoria federal court. Prior to this, Lopez had also been arrested for disorderly conduct and criminal damage related to an incident on the university campus. Authorities emphasized that Lopez is presumed innocent until proven guilty, and the case is being prosecuted under federal criminal law. The arrest highlights the serious legal consequences of making threats against elected officials.