Federal authorities in Alabama have taken swift action against a local resident who threatened President Donald Trump on social media. Megan Lorraine Utz, a 38‑year‑old woman from Florence, was charged on Oct. 8 in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Alabama for making a direct threat against the President.
Threat posted on Facebook
According to investigators, on or about Oct. 5 a Facebook account using the name “Kase Utz” responded to a post about President Trump’s planned attendance at the Alabama‑Georgia college football game. The comment read, “He’s not allowed in my stadium! I’ll put a bullet through him if he dares.”
How investigators linked the post to Utz
Law enforcement matched the profile picture on the account to Utz’s driver’s license, noting a distinctive neck tattoo that appears in both images. Additional data from the social‑media platform confirmed the user’s birthday and location, pointing directly to Florence.
FBI and Secret Service response
On Oct. 6, agents from the FBI and the Secret Service, together with local police, went to the Salvation Army shelter where Utz was believed to be staying. Shelter staff reported she left in a light‑blue pickup truck and may have headed to a nearby residence. Agents located the truck on Midway Street. Utz briefly opened the front door of the house, shut it, locked it, and then fled on foot. Officers apprehended her roughly two blocks away.
Additional charges and background
In addition to the federal threat charge, Utz was arrested on a separate local warrant for harassing messages. During the encounter, investigators seized an iPhone, which was sent to an FBI forensics lab for analysis. Utz told agents she had suffered 18 concussions and was taking several prescription medications. When questioned about the Facebook post, she claimed her phone might have been hacked and blamed malware for the message, asking, “How am I going to shoot him?”
Prior run‑ins with law enforcement
The court documents note earlier encounters with police, including a 2024 local warrant for harassing messages, a recent theft investigation that listed her as a suspect, and a removal from both a rehabilitation facility and the Salvation Army shelter.
Next steps
Utz is scheduled to appear for arraignment in Birmingham on Nov. 4. The swift federal response underscores the administration’s commitment to protecting the President and ensuring that any threats against him are investigated and prosecuted promptly.
President Trump’s planned appearance
President Trump is expected to travel to the Alabama‑Georgia game, a high‑profile event that draws fans from across the Southeast. Security preparations are already in place to safeguard the President and the thousands of supporters who will gather at the stadium.
Community reaction
Local officials and community leaders in Florence have expressed relief that law‑enforcement agencies acted quickly to neutralize the threat. “Our priority is the safety of all citizens, including our President, who is visiting our great state,” said a spokesperson for the Lauderdale County Sheriff’s Office.
Original reporting: FOX10 WALA Mobile (news) — read the source article.
