ABSECON, NJ – Twin brothers from New Jersey are in custody after a joint operation by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and local police. They face serious charges tied to alleged online death threats directed at DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin and other federal law enforcement officers.
Emilio Roman-Flores and Ricardo Antonio Roman-Flores, both U.S. citizens who live in Absecon, were arrested Tuesday.
Investigators traced a series of social media posts that allegedly included threats to “hang” the Assistant Secretary and a broader call to “shoot ICE on sight.” Federal officials say the case reflects a stronger push to respond to violent threats aimed at public officials online.
The Charges: Weapons Offenses and Terroristic Threats
In a press release, DHS outlined the charges against the brothers, describing them as serious and wide-ranging.
Emilio Roman-Flores is charged with multiple felonies, including:
- Unlawful possession of an assault weapon
- Possession of prohibited weapons
- Conspiracy
- Terroristic threats
- Criminal coercion
- Cyber harassment
Ricardo Antonio Roman-Flores is charged with:
- Conspiracy
- Terroristic threats
Both men are being held by the Absecon Police Department in Atlantic County while the case moves into the court system.
Federal Officials Respond With Strong Warning
Soon after the arrests, federal leaders issued sharp statements, describing the action as a clear warning to anyone considering violent threats against officers.
Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons released a brief but intense statement about the case and the broader climate officers face. “Let this be a warning to anyone who dares threaten or attack our brave law enforcement officers,” Lyons said. “We will find you, we will arrest you, and we will prosecute you to the fullest extent of the law. We are NOT afraid of you.”
Lyons said the current political and media environment is driving a sharp spike in threats against ICE officers. He cited what he called an 8,000% increase in death threats targeting ICE agents while they perform their duties.
“The extreme rhetoric of the news media, sanctuary politicians, and activists is leading directly to our law enforcement officers facing an 8,000% increase in death threats against them,” Lyons said in the DHS release. “If you threaten our law enforcement or DHS officials, we will hunt you down and you will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
DHS stressed that the search and arrest warrants were carried out through a coordinated operation that involved federal agents and the Absecon Police Department’s SWAT team. Officials said this approach was necessary to address what they viewed as a serious potential threat tied to the Roman-Flores brothers.
Online DHS Threats Turning Into Criminal Cases
This case shows how posts on social media can quickly turn into criminal charges when they cross the line into direct threats. Authorities have not publicly detailed the brothers’ motives, but the alleged posts targeted a senior spokesperson for a Trump administration official and urged violence against federal agents. That mix of politics, online platforms, and violent language has become a growing concern for law enforcement.
Federal and state prosecutors are using cyber harassment and terroristic threat laws more often to respond to credible threats against public figures. The anonymity and reach of the internet have made it easier for some people to issue violent statements they might not make face-to-face. The weapons charges against Emilio Roman-Flores suggest that officers found physical evidence during the search that raised even more concern about the seriousness of the threats.
Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin, a top spokeswoman for DHS, is now among the many high-profile government officials targeted by intense hostility online.
The arrests send a direct message from federal authorities: threats against DHS staff, ICE agents, or other federal personnel, even when made online, will be taken seriously and pursued through criminal charges, no matter the political views or status of the people involved.
The Roman-Flores twins are awaiting arraignment, which will outline the next steps in the legal process. VORNews will keep following the case and share updates as new information comes out.
