Illinois Trump Assassination Threat Suspect Pleads Not Guilty

EDWARDSVILLE, IL — An Illinois man has pleaded not guilty to threatening to assassinate President Donald Trump. According to court documents, Joseph Lynn Pickett appeared in U.S. District court Wednesday. He was arrested after two former coworkers reported threatening posts he allegedly made to his Facebook page on June 14 and 15, according to to a complaint filed earlier this month.

Reached by phone on Thursday, Pickett's lawyer, East St. Louis attorney Thomas Gabel, said he could not comment on the case. A complaint filed June 15 by U.S. Secret Service Special Agent Vincent Pescitelli includes screenshots of posts allegedly made by Pickett stating that Trump "sold our country to the Russians" and "needs a blade in his neck."

Another post appeared to taunt the Secret Service — and Facebook friends who expressed concern — saying, "The secret service now has a heads up to my plan to assassinate Trump ... let's see if they act!" (Get Patch real-time email alerts for the latest news for Champaign — or your town. And iPhone users: Check out Patch's new app.)

In the complaint, Pescitelli says Pickett worked at a Lowe's store in Granite City until roughly six months ago, when he was fired for threatening a coworker and bragging about having weapons. The complaint alleges Pickett also sent a message to someone saying, "Please call the cops on me now so I have an,excuse to use my firepower."

If convicted, Pickett could be sentenced to up to five years in prison.

Image via Gage Skidmore