U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Keller Highlights Seven Recent Prosecutions Involving Threats and Assaults Against Federal Law Enforcement and Public Officials

LAFAYETTE, LA - Today, United States Attorney Zachary A. Keller highlights a series of recent prosecutions undertaken by the Office that reflect its ongoing commitment to protecting federal law enforcement officers and public officials, to safeguarding the integrity of the judicial process, and to holding accountable those who threaten, assault, or seek to interfere with the administration of justice.

"Every attack or threat against our law enforcement officers, our public officials, or our courts is an attack on the rule of law itself," said U.S. Attorney Keller. "These arrests, indictments, and convictions show our Office's commitment alongside our federal partners to vigorously pursue and prosecute those who perpetrate these acts."

The following seven ongoing cases show the Office's commitment to ensuring the safety of our federal law enforcement officers and public officials:

• Justin Chadwick Butler, 31 of Shreveport, was arrested by criminal complaint on February 13, 2026, after posting repeated violent threats on social media targeting Speaker Mike Johnson and the President Donald Trump. These charges came after authorities identified several social media posts in which Butler advocated for Speaker Johnson's death or execution, including stating for example that "Mike Johnson couldnt [sic] lie so smoothly with bullet holes in his face." Butler faces up to 10 years in prison for the charges currently pending. The matter is being investigated by the United States Capitol Police, United States Secret Service, Homeland Security, Caddo Parish Sheriff's Office, Louisiana State Police, FBI and United States Marshals Service and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney William Gaskins with assistance from Legal Assistant Amanda Morgan.

• Avieyle Moore, 40 of Jackson Parish, who was incarcerated at the time of the offense, pled guilty on January 30, 2026, to mailing a threatening letter to the Supreme Court of the United States that falsely claimed to be laced with fentanyl that would kill its reader. The letter, which contained approximately one tablespoon of a white, powdery substance and stated, "IF You Are Reading this you are gonna die soon because this letter is laced with Fentanyl!!", caused the evacuation of the Supreme Court's warehouse facility and prompted a hazardous materials response. Moore faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison and three years of supervised release. The matter was investigated by the United States Supreme Court Police, United States Secret Service and the FBI and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Seth Reeg with assistance from Legal Assistant Stevie Hickman.

• Alex Taylor Fontenot, 27 of Lake Charles, was indicted on February 4, 2026, after allegedly posting a social media video threatening Immigration and Customs Enforcement ("ICE") agents. In the video, Fontenot allegedly stated that if ICE agents "step foot on to my house, you're leaving in a body bag" and that they would "be dropped like flies, immediately, so [they] won't feel a thing." If convicted, Fontenot faces up to five years in federal prison and three years of supervised release. The matter is being investigated by the FBI and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John W. Nickel with assistance from Legal Assistant Dru Casebonne.

• Justice Hunter, 41 of Alexandria, was indicted on February 4, 2026, following his January arrest for striking a Courtroom Security Officer ("CSO") at the United States Federal Courthouse in Alexandria, Louisiana. According to court documents, Hunter stood outside the courthouse yelling profanities and making statements about a coming revolution before entering the building and continuing to act disruptively. After refusing repeated orders to leave, Hunter allegedly struck a CSO in the face and resisted officers attempting to detain him. If convicted, Hunter faces up to 20 years in federal prison and three years of supervised release. The matter is being investigated by the FBI and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel J. Vermaelen with assistance from Legal Assistant Christy Angelle.

• Matthew Reardon, 38 of Oxford, Mississippi, was convicted at trial on January 16, 2026, of disorderly conduct after he repeatedly obstructed the entrance to the John M. Shaw Federal Courthouse in Lafayette, Louisiana and harassed CSOs in an escalating pattern of conduct while refusing to leave the premises. Reardon faces up to 30 days in prison. The matter is being investigated by the United States Marshals Service and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney LaDonte Murphy with assistance from Legal Assistant Christy Angelle.

• Maximiliano Perez-Perez, 22 of Mexico, is detained pending trial after he was indicted in December 2025 for biting an ICE officer while being detained for being an illegal alien subject to removal. Perez-Perez faces up to 20 years in prison as well as three years of supervised release. The matter is being investigated by ICE and Homeland Security Investigations and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S Attorneys Craig Bordelon II and Lauren Sarver with assistance from Legal Assistant Dru Casebonne.

• Micah James Legnon, 29, of New Iberia, is detained pending trial after being charged by criminal complaint in December 2025 for allegedly making a threat against New Orleans-based ICE officers. On December 5, 2025, Legnon allegedly posted that it was "time to recreate Waco TX with these f***ers," and one week later allegedly drove toward New Orleans with body armor, an assault rifle, a handgun, and a gas cannister. A subsequent search of his residence resulted in the seizure of additional weapons, ammunition, and tactical training materials. The investigation remains ongoing, is being investigated by the FBI, and is being prosecuted by United States Attorney Zachary A. Keller and Assistant U.S. Attorney John W. Nickel with assistance from Legal Assistant Dru Casebonne.

These cases reflect the Office's ongoing priority to vigorously enforce federal laws designed to protect law enforcement officers, our judicial process, and those who serve the administration of justice. Federal law provides significant penalties for threats, assaults, and obstruction of officers and court personnel, and those who violate these statutes will be held accountable.

Criminal complaints and indictments are merely allegations. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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