Woman charged over Facebook threat against Trump at Alabama-Georgia game

A woman from Florence, Alabama, has been federally charged after allegedly posting a threatening comment on Facebook targeting President Donald Trump ahead of his attendance at the Alabama vs. Georgia college football game, FOX 5 Atlanta and Atlanta News First reported.

According to the U.S. Attorney's Office in Northern Alabama, Megan Lorraine Utz made a post on October 5 threatening to shoot President Trump if he attended the game in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. The comment was linked to her by matching profile photos and other identifying details, as reported by Atlanta News First.

FBI, Secret Service agents, and local police located Utz on October 6 in Florence, Alabama. After a brief attempt to evade officers, she was arrested on a separate local warrant for harassing messages. Investigators confiscated her phone for forensic examination.

During questioning, Utz claimed her phone might have been hacked and denied intending to carry out the threat. Court records also indicate prior encounters with law enforcement, including a 2024 warrant and recent incidents involving theft and removal from rehabilitation facilities.

The U.S. Attorney emphasized the seriousness of threats against the President and commended law enforcement for their swift action in apprehending Utz. The charges include threats against the President and interstate transmission of threatening communication.