Topline: Federal prosecutors say a Knoxville man posted repeated TikTok threats to murder or maim President Donald Trump, local officials, and members of his own family, leaving him facing up to 145 years in prison.
Published: August 7, 2026 4:04 pm ET
Shawn Fletcher
Committed to the craft of journalism and am driven by my desire to inform and inspire.
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via FBI Nashville
KNOXVILLE, TN — A Knoxville man has been indicted on 22 federal counts after prosecutors said he used TikTok for months to post threats to murder or maim President Donald Trump, federal and local officials, and members of his own family.
According to a U.S. Attorney’s Office announcement, a federal grand jury in Chattanooga returned the indictment against Garry Lee Williams, 44, on July 28, and Williams appeared in federal court in Knoxville on August 4, where he pleaded not guilty and was ordered held pending trial.
Prosecutors said the indictment covers alleged posts made from January through April 2026 and accuses Williams of making 11 separate threats to murder Trump, one threat against a member of Trump’s immediate family, seven threats against FBI Director Kash Patel, two threats against Knox County Sheriff Tom Spangler and Knoxville Police Chief Paul Noel, and one threat against numerous members of Williams’ own family.
A previous DOJ announcement about Williams’ July 16 arrest said investigators alleged he made repeated posts and videos on social media, including TikTok, threatening Trump, Patel, Spangler, and Noel. Prosecutors said the case was investigated by the FBI, U.S. Secret Service, Knox County Sheriff’s Office, and Knoxville Police Department.
If he’s convicted on all counts, Williams faces up to 145 years in prison, along with possible fines and supervised release. His trial is scheduled for October 6 in the Eastern District of Tennessee.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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Knoxville Man Indicted on 22 Counts for TikTok Threats Against Donald Trump, FBI Director, Local Officials, Family
Federal prosecutors say a Knoxville man posted repeated TikTok threats to murder or maim President Donald Trump, local officials, and members of his own family, leaving him facing up to 145 years in prison.
By Shawn Fletcher
Published: August 7, 2026 4:04 pm ET
via FBI Nashville
KNOXVILLE, TN — A Knoxville man has been indicted on 22 federal counts after prosecutors said he used TikTok for months to post threats to murder or maim President Donald Trump, federal and local officials, and members of his own family.
According to a U.S. Attorney’s Office announcement, a federal grand jury in Chattanooga returned the indictment against Garry Lee Williams, 44, on July 28, and Williams appeared in federal court in Knoxville on August 4, where he pleaded not guilty and was ordered held pending trial.
Prosecutors said the indictment covers alleged posts made from January through April 2026 and accuses Williams of making 11 separate threats to murder Trump, one threat against a member of Trump’s immediate family, seven threats against FBI Director Kash Patel, two threats against Knox County Sheriff Tom Spangler and Knoxville Police Chief Paul Noel, and one threat against numerous members of Williams’ own family.
A previous DOJ announcement about Williams’ July 16 arrest said investigators alleged he made repeated posts and videos on social media, including TikTok, threatening Trump, Patel, Spangler, and Noel. Prosecutors said the case was investigated by the FBI, U.S. Secret Service, Knox County Sheriff’s Office, and Knoxville Police Department.
If he’s convicted on all counts, Williams faces up to 145 years in prison, along with possible fines and supervised release. His trial is scheduled for October 6 in the Eastern District of Tennessee.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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Knoxville Man Indicted on 22 Counts for TikTok Threats Against Donald Trump, FBI Director, Local Officials, Family
Federal prosecutors say a Knoxville man posted repeated TikTok threats to murder or maim President Donald Trump, local officials, and members of his own family, leaving him facing up to 145 years in prison.
By Shawn Fletcher
Published: August 7, 2026 4:04 pm ET
via FBI Nashville
KNOXVILLE, TN — A Knoxville man has been indicted on 22 federal counts after prosecutors said he used TikTok for months to post threats to murder or maim President Donald Trump, federal and local officials, and members of his own family.
According to a U.S. Attorney’s Office announcement, a federal grand jury in Chattanooga returned the indictment against Garry Lee Williams, 44, on July 28, and Williams appeared in federal court in Knoxville on August 4, where he pleaded not guilty and was ordered held pending trial.
Prosecutors said the indictment covers alleged posts made from January through April 2026 and accuses Williams of making 11 separate threats to murder Trump, one threat against a member of Trump’s immediate family, seven threats against FBI Director Kash Patel, two threats against Knox County Sheriff Tom Spangler and Knoxville Police Chief Paul Noel, and one threat against numerous members of Williams’ own family.
A previous DOJ announcement about Williams’ July 16 arrest said investigators alleged he made repeated posts and videos on social media, including TikTok, threatening Trump, Patel, Spangler, and Noel. Prosecutors said the case was investigated by the FBI, U.S. Secret Service, Knox County Sheriff’s Office, and Knoxville Police Department.
If he’s convicted on all counts, Williams faces up to 145 years in prison, along with possible fines and supervised release. His trial is scheduled for October 6 in the Eastern District of Tennessee.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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