Knoxville Man Arrested For Transmitting Threats To Kill Public Officals

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - Garry Lee Williams, 44, of Knoxville, was arrested on July 16, 2026, in Knoxville by agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) on a complaint involving the interstate transmission of threats to kill public officials.

An initial appearance was held today, Friday, July 17, 2026, in United States District Court in Knoxville, before the Honorable Debra C. Poplin, United States Magistrate Judge. The next scheduled hearing is a preliminary hearing set for August 25, 2026, at 1:30pm, before Judge Poplin. A trial will be scheduled at a later date.

The details of the complaint, which include numerous threats to kill public officials, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 875(c), are outlined in the arrest warrant and supporting affidavit to the complaint, which are filed as public records in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee at Knoxville. In summary, the affidavit alleges that Williams made repeated posts and videos on social media, including TikTok, in which Williams threatened to kill President Donald J. Trump, FBI Director Kash Patel, Knox County Sheriff Tom Spangler, and Knoxville Police Chief Paul Noel.

United States Attorney Francis M. Hamilton III of the Eastern District of Tennessee and Special Agent in Charge, Terence G. Reilly, of the Nashville Field Office of the FBI, made the announcement.

Assistant United States Attorney David P. Lewen, Jr. will represent the United States in this case.

Members of the public are reminded that these are only charges and that every person is presumed innocent until their guilt has been proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

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