The Secret Service is currently looking into the case where a man from Florida was apprehended in West Palm Beach and accused of inciting the assassination of President Donald Trump via Facebook.
The individual in question, Shannon Depararro Atkins, a resident of West Palm Beach, was taken into custody after purportedly making threats against the president, as confirmed by West Palm Beach Police Chief Tony Araujo during a press briefing over the weekend. The seriousness of the situation prompted swift action.
Atkins is charged with felony intimidation, drug possession and smuggling contraband in a county detention facility, according to jail records.
Shannon Depararro Atkins, 46, was arrested after allegedly threatening the life of President Donald Trump. (Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office)
The Secret Service was notified and is reviewing the case to determine if there will be federal charges, the department said.
Regarding this incident, the U.S. Secret Service refrained from providing specific details, stating in an email to Fox News Digital on Saturday, “The U.S. Secret Service does not comment on matters involving protective intelligence. What we can say, is that the Secret Service investigates all threats against our protectees.”
Authorities confirmed the FBI was also involved in the investigation.
Araujo said, in today’s climate, people cannot make threats, even jokingly.
“We have incident after incident, example after example, of when these threats become real - and we take these very seriously,” he said. “Did we avert something - you never know. I do know that we developed probable cause, we arrested Mr. Atkins, and he’s going to have to answer the charges.”
Atkins was issued a $5,000 bond for the drug charges, but bond was denied for the threats against Trump, according to jail records.