Inset: Kadrioan Santiago (Garrard County Sheriff’s Department). Background: President Donald Trump gives remarks during an event celebrating the 2024 Stanley Cup Champion the Florida Panthers in the East Room of the White House in Washington, D.C. on Monday, Feb. 3, 2025 (Photo by Aaron Schwartz/Sipa USA)(Sipa via AP Images).
A man from Kentucky is facing serious charges after allegedly threatening to assassinate former President Donald Trump and subject him to gruesome acts involving stray dogs. Federal prosecutors reveal that the man, identified as Kadrioan Santiago, 23, from Berea, had amassed a collection of rifles and tactical equipment.
Santiago is accused of making interstate threats of violence not just against the former president but also targeting ICE agents and other individuals. The charges, detailed in a criminal complaint sourced by Law&Crime, are further elaborated in a press release issued by the U.S. Justice Department.
According to allegations by the DOJ, Santiago, using the Instagram handle ‘kadi_skating,’ posted numerous violent threats and inflammatory statements between January and March 2026. These included threats to mutilate President Trump and feed his skin to dogs, vows to kill any law enforcement officer who confronted him, incitements for others to attack ICE agents, and personal threats against ICE agents.
The criminal complaint states that Santiago declared his intent to unleash widespread violence, indicating that “no one is spared” from his threats. In January 2026, he reportedly wrote about being consumed by political violence.
In a March 2 post, Santiago allegedly expressed his willingness to use explosive devices, stating, “STUFF A GRENADE IN THEIR AHH AND BLOW IT UP,” and claimed he would defend “queer rights with my guns.”
His aggressive rhetoric extended to former President Trump, with posts declaring “DEATH TO TRUMP” and a warning that the president should avoid any encounter with him, according to the complaint.
“I will actually drag a razor blade down your face and slip it under your skin and pull your skin off, cook it and feed it to some stray dogs,” Santiago allegedly said in a March 27 post.
Other alleged threats included, “Death to the American nazi regime” and “the american people NEED to start shooting at the necks, legs, and arms of ICE agents.”
Prosecutors say the FBI “received information” about Santiago’s “politically violent threats” and launched an investigation on April 3. The young man had been posting videos and photos online of weapons and ammunition he compiled, including footage put up on Instagram as recently as March 23 and March 24.
“Registered car, unregistered firearms,” Santiago said in a March 23 post that showed an image of an “assault firearm” resting on a person’s lap that is believed to be him, according to the complaint.
Santiago was arrested by deputies with the Garrard County Sheriff’s Office following a traffic stop on April 14. An arsenal was found on him that included a “handgun, an AR-15-style rifle, an additional long gun, multiple magazines, a Kevlar helmet, gas masks, and various survival gear,” according to the sheriff’s office.
“The nature of these federal charges, combined with the weapons and tactical gear located, is extremely alarming,” said Garrard County Sheriff Willie Skeens in a statement. “Fortunately, nobody was injured during this arrest.”
Santiago is due to appear in court Monday for a detention and preliminary hearing.
“To those who choose to hide behind the anonymity of a screen to unleash threats against the President of the United States, other government officials, and law enforcement, the FBI will find you” said Olivia Olson, FBI special agent in charge for the Louisville Field Office. “It is against the law to post threatening communications online, and the FBI and our partners will use every available resource to identify, locate, and arrest those who choose to do so.”
