Michael Stover, 33, appeared shackled in a U.S. District Court courtroom this afternoon, charged with a felony count of making a true threat against immigration and public officials.
It was shortly after 10 a.m. when prosecutors said a squad of federal agents arrested Stover in a Downers Grove apartment parking lot. The FBI Chicago posted photos online taken of agents with the Joint Terrorism Task Force during the encounter.
According to a criminal complaint unsealed late Friday afternoon, Stover is accused of writing multiple threatening social media posts, including threats to kill ICE agents earlier this year, as well as threats against the U.S. President.
"The us president just said he wants to purpose build concentration camps for his political enemies," Stover allegedly wrote online back in April. "Its war right here and now against this attacker or we die in slavery. Put down your posters and selfie sticks and pick up a weapon!"
Prosecutors also accused Stover of posting a photo in February of "five rifle bullets- with the first names of five well-known U.S. political figures respectively written with marker on each bullet-placed on top of two hunting knives."
Stover's social media activity had been monitored by the FBI's National Threat Operations Center for months, and the agency contacted the U.S. Secret Service to launch an investigation this past May.
On May 7, court records state Downers Grove police and the FBI "entered a Clear and Present Danger request for Stover with the Illinois State Police (ISP)" and the ISP revoked Stover's Firearm Owner's Identification (FOID) Card, a state card that allows a person to possess or acquire firearms.
The next day, federal prosecutors said Downers Grove police responded to a 911 domestic-disturbance call at Stover's residence.
When they knocked on his door, investigators said Stover "opened the door for officers, immediately shut it, then opened the door again with his hands in the air and an empty holster, a pocketknife, and a full magazine on his hip."
No charges were filed in relation to the domestic-disturbance call, but given Stover's possession of multiple firearms and his FOID card revocation the day prior, he was placed under arrest.
According to prosecutors, Downers Grove police seized six handguns, five rifles, a shotgun, and ammunition, including the five rifle rounds with the first names of "well-known U.S. political figures."
Stover was ultimately released after state prosecutors declined to charge him with unlawful firearm possession.
After he was released, Stover was interviewed by a Downers Grove Crisis Intervention Sergeant and the FBI, in which he "he expressed frustration about global affairs and the U.S. government."
But prosecutors say the police encounter did not stop Stover from posting threats on social media.
He was active on his Blue Sky account, using exceedingly extreme language in his posts, court records show.
"ICE is a terrorist organization," Stover allegedly wrote in a July 7 post cited in his criminal complaint. "Share this if you think we should shoot them down like dogs."
At his first court appearance, Stover told the U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge David Weisman that he was employed and worked in "air conditioning."
Stover has not entered a plea to the federal charge he faces.
Given the violent and serious nature to the post, federal prosecutors asked that Stover remain in federal custody until a future detention hearing is held.
That detention hearing is scheduled for Sept. 10.