MELVINDALE (WWJ) -- A 41-year-old Melvindale man is facing federal charges after authorities say he used his social media accounts to issue violent threats against law enforcement officers and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents.
On Tuesday, U.S. Attorney Jerome F. Gorgon, Jr. announced that Michael Gary Petersen has been charged with threatening to assault or murder a law enforcement officer, as well as making interstate communications involving threats.
Federal prosecutors allege that between January and July 2026, Petersen posted a series of messages urging his followers to carry out extreme violence against police and federal agents. In the criminal complaint, investigators noted that Petersen repeatedly encouraged followers to shoot officers in the face and told them, "Never trust officers. Death to them all."
The threats reportedly escalated to involve weapons of war, with Petersen warning readers to "Wait till we start throwing grenades and start shooting armor piercing rounds at these agents."
In addition to broad threats against law enforcement, authorities say Petersen also targeted specific individuals. On June 7, 2026, he allegedly threatened an ICE agent involved in a recent shooting, writing that the agent "can’t escape a bullet. It’s coming soon. Just wait. ;)." When another social media user disagreed with Petersen online, he reportedly responded by telling them, "I have a bullet with your name on it."
Federal officials from multiple agencies joined U.S. Attorney Gorgon in announcing the June 16 arrest, stressing the severe nature of the allegations. Gorgon called threats against law enforcement an attack on the rule of law itself, noting that his office intends to protect the officers who protect the public.
Jared Murphey, acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Detroit, acknowledged that while the public has a right to disagree with laws, threatening to shoot officers and deploy explosive devices triggers an immediate and vigorous criminal investigation. Matthew Putra, acting Field Office Director for ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations in Detroit, echoed those sentiments, calling it unconscionable that federal agents would be targeted simply for carrying out duties passed by Congress.
The case is currently being investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and will be prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Eaton Brown. As with all criminal cases, a complaint is merely an allegation, and Petersen is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
