A Waterville man pleaded guilty Friday in U.S. District Court in Bangor to making threatening interstate communications.
According to court records, on Feb. 8, 2024, Benjamin Brown, 47, posted comments on YouTube threatening to hunt down and kill undocumented immigrants.
Brown said in his comments that no one could stop him from killing undocumented immigrants, not even law enforcement, according to a statement from the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Federal agents had met with Brown twice before to discuss other comments he had posted online and warned him about the federal crime of interstate threats.
“You can’t threaten to kill people, like Benjamin Brown did, and not face repercussions,” said Ted E. Docks, special agent in charge of the FBI’s Boston Division.
“Despite being repeatedly warned about his online comments, Benjamin Brown not only made threats to kill others, but basically dared law enforcement to stop him,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Craig M. Wolff.
Brown faces up to five years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and up to three years of supervised release.
The FBI and the U.S. Secret Service investigated the case with help from Waterville police.
