A Rochester man accused of making online threats against Donald Trump Jr. had been arrested just days earlier in a separate case involving alleged threats toward Rochester Mayor Malik Evans.
Federal prosecutors say James Gerald Eckert Jr., 39, is now facing a federal charge linked to threats against the president’s son.
Federal Charge Filed Against James Eckert Jr.
U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced that Eckert was charged by criminal complaint with threatening to kill, kidnap or harm an immediate family member of the president.
If convicted, the federal charge carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison. Eckert made his initial federal court appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark W. Pedersen and was ordered held pending a detention hearing scheduled for July 20, 2026.
Threats Allegedly Made During Trump Jr. Podcast
According to the criminal complaint, the U.S. Secret Service was alerted on June 18, 2026, after several threats appeared in the live chat of Donald Trump Jr.’s podcast, Triggered with Donald Trump Jr.
Prosecutors said the messages came from an account using Eckert’s full name and included repeated threats directed at Trump Jr.
Rumble Video Also Cited by Prosecutors
Authorities also allege that Eckert was streaming himself on Rumble while watching the podcast.
The complaint says he repeated similar threats both verbally and through live chat posts during an approximately eight-minute video. Prosecutors also said some threats were directed at Rumble’s chief executive officer.
Earlier Threat Allegedly Targeted Rochester Mayor
The federal complaint also refers to an earlier Facebook post allegedly made on June 7.
That post was directed at Rochester Mayor Malik Evans and included threats against the mayor and his family, according to authorities. WXXI reported that Rochester police confirmed Evans was the alleged victim in the local hate crime case.
Hate Crime Charge in Rochester Case
Eckert had been arrested by Rochester police before the federal complaint was filed.
Police said he faces a felony charge of second-degree aggravated harassment as a hate crime in connection with the alleged threats toward Evans. It was not immediately clear whether the June 7 Facebook post was the specific basis for that arrest.
Senator Samra Brouk Also Allegedly Threatened
Authorities say Eckert later posted another threatening message on June 11, this time targeting New York state Sen. Samra Brouk.
The complaint says the post appeared on Brouk’s official Facebook page and included a death threat. WXXI reported that the message also contained a racially charged obscenity.
Accounts Allegedly Used Eckert’s Full Name
Officials say the threats were posted from accounts that used Eckert’s full name.
That detail is important to investigators because it connects the online activity to the suspect named in the complaint, though the allegations still must be proven in court.
Secret Service Contacted Eckert While in Custody
Court records show that the U.S. Secret Service had contact with Eckert while he was in police custody.
He was arraigned in Rochester City Court on Thursday, and Judge Jacquelyn L. Grippe granted his release with non-monetary conditions in the local case.
Federal Complaint Filed Under Seal
The federal complaint was filed under seal on Friday.
Eckert was arrested on Saturday and appeared in federal court Monday. He remains in federal custody while awaiting the July 20 detention hearing.
Investigation Led by Secret Service and Rochester Police
The federal case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Louis A. Testani.
The investigation was conducted by the U.S. Secret Service and the Rochester Police Department, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of New York.
Allegations Not Yet Proven in Court
Federal prosecutors emphasized that a criminal complaint is only an accusation.
Eckert is presumed innocent unless and until he is proven guilty in court.
James Gerald Eckert Jr. now faces both local and federal legal trouble after authorities say he made online threats against Donald Trump Jr., Rochester Mayor Malik Evans and New York state Sen. Samra Brouk.
The federal case carries a possible five-year prison sentence if Eckert is convicted, while the Rochester case includes a hate crime charge tied to the alleged threats against Evans.
Investigators say the threats were made through accounts using Eckert’s full name, but the allegations remain unproven as the cases move forward.