Rantoul Man Charged with Making Threatening Interstate Communication

URBANA, Ill. - A grand jury today indicted Kevin Baskis, 37, of Rantoul, Illinois, on two counts of allegedly making threatening interstate communications.

The indictment alleges that on June 29 and 30, 2026, Baskis made interstate phone calls from Rantoul to Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas, threatening to injure U.S. military personnel and their families.

Baskis was arrested on July 1, 2026, and remains in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service. U.S. Magistrate Judge Eric I. Long today ordered that he be detained pending trial.

If convicted, the maximum statutory penalties for each of the charged counts are a maximum five years of imprisonment; maximum $250,000 fine; maximum three years of supervised release; and a mandatory $100 special assessment.

Agencies participating in the investigation include the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Springfield Field Office, and Rantoul Police Department. Supervisory Assistant United States Attorney Eugene Miller is representing the government in the prosecution.

Members of the public are reminded that an indictment is merely an accusation; the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.