White House Bomb Threat Suspect’s Chilling Messages Exposed in FBI Investigation

A federal investigation into an alleged threat against the White House has uncovered a series of disturbing messages mentioning anthrax, C4 explosives and attacks on government buildings, according to federal court records.

Jacob Aaron Hicks, 46, of Tucson, Arizona, was arrested on October 7 and charged by criminal complaint with making an interstate threat to injure.

Federal prosecutors say the investigation began after a Tucson television station received an alarming email on September 23 warning that an attack against the White House and other locations in Washington, D.C., was imminent.

According to the criminal complaint, the message warned that a strike against the White House would occur within 12 hours and claimed bombs were positioned around Washington.

“This is not a joke,” the email allegedly warned.

The television station quickly notified authorities, triggering an investigation involving the FBI and U.S. Secret Service.

Investigators ultimately connected the Gmail account used to send the message to a cellphone number associated with Hicks, according to court documents.

But agents say their investigation uncovered additional communications that raised even more concerns.

A review of electronic devices allegedly revealed a September 2 text message mentioning anthrax being delivered to Tucson as well as C4 explosives and a federal building.

The message also referred to a purported bombing planned for September 11, 2026.

Authorities have not alleged that the threatened September 11 attack actually occurred, and the criminal complaint does not establish that Hicks possessed anthrax, C4 or any other explosive material.

Investigators also discovered several unsent email drafts allegedly connected to the same account.

One draft addressed to The Washington Post reportedly threatened an attack against the White House from multiple directions. Another addressed to Fox News allegedly claimed bombs had been planted in important buildings around Washington.

The federal investigation also brought renewed attention to a law enforcement encounter involving Hicks a decade earlier.

According to a 2016 Wayne County Sheriff’s Office report cited in the federal complaint, authorities responded after Hicks allegedly threatened to blow up a Department of Social Services building in New York and kill people inside.

Investigators said Hicks was warned at the time that additional threatening communications could result in criminal charges.

Federal agents interviewed Hicks at his Tucson residence on September 24, one day after the White House threat was allegedly sent.

According to the complaint, Hicks acknowledged owning the cellphone number connected to the email account but denied sending the message.

He allegedly told investigators he had loaned his phone to a homeless individual around the time the email was transmitted.

Investigators said evidence found on the device raised additional questions about that explanation.

An initial examination allegedly showed that someone using the phone visited the White House contact website on the evening of September 23. Investigators also found visits to KGUN9’s website around the time the threatening email was sent.

Hicks was arrested roughly two weeks later and made his first appearance in federal court on October 8.

U.S. Attorney Timothy Courchaine praised the Tucson television station for immediately alerting authorities.

“We must take threats of violence like this one seriously,” Courchaine said, adding that the station’s quick action allowed federal investigators to respond rapidly.

FBI Phoenix Special Agent in Charge Rebecca Day similarly emphasized the importance of reporting potential threats to law enforcement.

The FBI is leading the investigation with assistance from the Secret Service, while the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona is handling the prosecution.

The Justice Department said the case is also being handled as part of a broader federal initiative aimed at coordinating agencies investigating politically motivated violence and threats.

For now, Hicks faces an allegation involving the transmission of a threatening communication. Federal authorities have not announced that any of the attacks described in the messages were actually carried out.

As with all criminal complaints, the charge represents an accusation rather than proof of guilt. Hicks is presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.