DETROIT — This is an official press release from the U.S. Department of Justice (USAO - Michigan, Eastern), published as received.
DETROIT – Isaac Sissel, 26, a man who intentionally bounces from place to place committing crimes and skipping town afterwards to avoid the consequences, was sentenced today to thirty months for threatening to kill conservative Christians with an AR-15 assault rifle, announced United States Attorney Jerome F. Gorgon Jr.
Gorgon was joined in the announcement by Reuben C. Coleman, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Detroit Field Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
According to court documents, in September 2024, Sissel created Reddit accounts with names like “ShootUpTrumpRally” and “PlanningToKillTrump.” And then, on November 2, Sissel sent an anonymous tip to the FBI claiming that he would “carry out an attack against conservative christan filth in the event trump wins the election,” and said that he had a “stolen ar15.” Sissel sent his threat two days before President Trump’s campaign rally in Michigan, three days before the 2024 Presidential election, and four months after President Trump was shot at a campaign rally with an AR-style weapon. As a convicted felon, Sissel is prohibited from possessing firearms, however there was no evidence that Sissel actually possessed a weapon, including an AR-15.
In April 2025, Sissel pleaded guilty to one count of transmitting threats in interstate commerce. The government also charged Sissel with a Hate Crimes Motivation enhancement, meaning that he selected his victims because of their actual or perceived religion. The Court agreed and applied the enhancement to Sissel’s sentence.
“We live in evil times,” U.S. Attorney Gorgon said. “Even in America, Christians are routinely targeted for death by violent extremists like this man. The First Amendment is a safeguard of religious liberty and free speech—and so it does not protect true threats that undermine religious liberty.”
"The sentencing of Issac Sissel reflects the FBI’s zero tolerance for individuals who threaten Americans, including leadership at the highest levels of government,” said Reuben Coleman, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Detroit Field Office. “I would like to thank the dedicated members of the FBI Detroit Joint Terrorism Task Force, alongside the FBI Ann Arbor Resident Agency, who worked tirelessly throughout this investigation. This effort would not be possible without the crucial assistance of the United States Secret Service, University of Michigan Police Department, and the Livingston County Sheriff’s Office in apprehending Mr. Sissel and supporting this investigation. I send my sincerest appreciation to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan for their successful prosecution. The FBI will remain committed to protecting our communities across America and investigate those who seek to instill fear and violence.”
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Hank Moon and Micah Wallace.
