A 46-year-old Tucson man was arrested after allegedly emailing a local television station about an imminent bomb attack targeting the White House and other locations in Washington, D.C. Federal prosecutors charged Jacob Aaron Hicks with making an interstate threat to injure. The investigation began after the station reported the September 23 email to law enforcement and later involved the FBI and U.S. Secret Service.
Authorities said investigators also found additional drafts in an email account linked to Hicks that contained similar threats and were addressed to other news organizations. Hicks made his initial appearance in federal court on Thursday, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona.
| 1) | The alleged threat and arrest |
|---|---|
| 2) | How the television station alerted authorities |
| 3) | Additional drafts found by investigators |
| 4) | FBI and Secret Service roles |
| 5) | Federal charge and court appearance |
The alleged threat and arrest
Federal officials said Jacob Aaron Hicks, 46, of Tucson, Arizona, allegedly sent an email on September 23 claiming there would be an “imminent bomb strike against the White House and other locations in Washington, D.C.” The message was sent to a local television station in Tucson. Hicks was arrested Wednesday and charged in federal court with making an interstate threat to injure.
The charge concerns an alleged threat involving locations outside Arizona. Authorities have not reported that any bombing occurred or that the alleged threat resulted in an attack. The case remains an allegation, and the charge will proceed through the federal court system.
How the television station alerted authorities
After receiving the email, the Tucson television station referred it to law enforcement. That notification prompted an investigation into the sender and the credibility and scope of the threat. Officials credited the station’s decision to contact authorities as an important step in the response.
“We must take threats of violence like this one seriously,” U.S. Attorney Timothy Courchaine said. “I am grateful to our local news station for referring this threat to law enforcement and to the FBI for addressing the situation quickly, professionally and with the level of commitment it required.”
The response shows how a threat delivered to a media organization can lead to coordination between local personnel and federal investigators. Officials have not disclosed additional operational details about how the threat was assessed.
Additional drafts found by investigators
During the investigation, authorities said they found more email drafts in an account linked to Hicks. The drafts were also dated September 23 and were addressed to other news organizations. According to federal officials, they contained similar threats involving the White House and other Washington, D.C., locations.
The alleged drafts expanded the inquiry beyond the original message received by the Tucson station. Officials have not identified the other organizations or provided further details about whether the drafts were sent, delivered or acted upon.
FBI and Secret Service roles
The FBI is leading the investigation with assistance from the U.S. Secret Service. The FBI’s Phoenix field office participated in the inquiry because the alleged sender was in Arizona, while the Secret Service assisted because the White House was among the locations named in the threat.
“We appreciate the community partner who reported the threat to law enforcement. Cooperation and partnership are essential to protecting the American people,” FBI Phoenix Special Agent in Charge Rebecca Day said.
The agencies’ work included identifying the person authorities believe sent the email and reviewing related material in the linked account. Officials said the investigation was handled quickly and professionally after the initial report.
Federal charge and court appearance
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona announced the charge after Hicks’s arrest. He made his initial appearance in federal court on Thursday. The interstate threat charge reflects the federal nature of an alleged communication sent across state lines and involving potential violence.
The announcement did not provide information about a plea, detention decision, defense statement or future court dates. Further proceedings will determine how the case develops and whether prosecutors pursue the allegations described in the criminal complaint.
| Number | Key Point |
|---|---|
| 1 | A Tucson man was arrested over an alleged email threat targeting the White House and other Washington, D.C., locations. |
| 2 | The original email was reported by a local television station on September 23. |
| 3 | Investigators found additional drafts containing similar alleged threats. |
| 4 | The FBI led the investigation with assistance from the U.S. Secret Service. |
| 5 | Hicks was charged with making an interstate threat to injure and appeared in federal court. |
Summary
Federal authorities arrested a Tucson man after a local television station reported an alleged email threat against the White House and other Washington, D.C., sites. Investigators said related drafts addressed to other news organizations were found in an account linked to the suspect. The FBI and Secret Service are continuing the investigation, while the federal case proceeds against the allegation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was arrested?
Jacob Aaron Hicks, 46, of Tucson, Arizona, was arrested in connection with the alleged threat.
What was Hicks accused of doing?
He was accused of emailing a Tucson television station about an imminent bomb strike against the White House and other locations in Washington, D.C.
Which agencies investigated the case?
The FBI led the investigation with assistance from the U.S. Secret Service after the television station alerted law enforcement.