Waterville Man Pleads Guilty to Making Interstate Threats

BANGOR, Maine: A Waterville man pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Bangor to making threatening interstate communications. 

According to court records, on February 8, 2024, Benjamin Brown, 47, posted comments on YouTube threatening to hunt down and kill illegal immigrants. In his comments, Brown said that no one could stop him from killing illegal immigrants, not even law enforcement. Federal agents had previously met with Brown on two separate occasions 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. “The FBI and our partners have to take you at your word and intervene, because protecting human life is our absolute priority.”

“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. “Online threats are no less serious than those made in other ways, and those who make them will be investigated and prosecuted.”

Brown faces up to five years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and up to three years of supervised release. He will be sentenced after the completion of a presentence investigative report by the U.S. Probation Office. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The FBI and the U.S. Secret Service investigated the case with assistance from the Waterville Police Department.

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