AL Woman Indicted Over Alleged Threat To Shoot Trump At UA Football Game

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U.S. Attorney Phillip W. Williams Jr. announced that Megan Lorraine Utz, 36, of Courtland, was charged in a two-count federal indictment with threatening the president of the United States and interstate transmission of threatening communication.

According to federal court documents, Utz allegedly posted a threat on Facebook on Oct. 5 in response to Trump's anticipated attendance at the Oct. 10 matchup between Alabama and Georgia at Bryant-Denny Stadium.

As Patch previously reported, Trump opted against attending the game due to Hurricane Isaias.

"I'll put a bullet through him if he dares," Utz allegedly wrote.

Federal authorities said FBI agents, U.S. Secret Service agents and Florence police located Utz in Florence on Oct. 6.

She was subsequently arrested by Florence police on an outstanding misdemeanor warrant for harassing communications issued by the Guin Police Department.

The federal indictment follows an earlier criminal complaint filed against Utz involving the same alleged conduct.

"Threats of violence are taken seriously, and we are committed to protecting the safety of our nation's leaders," Williams said in a statement.

Williams also praised the cooperation between federal and local law enforcement agencies in identifying and apprehending Utz.

David R. Fitzgibbons, special agent in charge of the FBI's Birmingham Division, emphasized the distinction between protected speech and threats of violence.

"People have every right to express their views, but when that expression turns into a threat against the president of the United States, it becomes a priority matter," Fitzgibbons said.

The investigation was conducted by the FBI, U.S. Secret Service, Florence Police Department and Guin Police Department.