EXCLUSIVE TO FOX: A 23-year-old undocumented immigrant, accused of offering $10,000 via TikTok to target ICE agents, was apprehended on Tuesday in Texas. Sources inform Fox News Digital that he was reportedly in possession of a loaded firearm at the time.
Residing in Dallas, Eduardo Aguilar is facing charges for allegedly making threats across state or international lines, according to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
On October 9, Aguilar is said to have posted a message on TikTok in Spanish, seeking “10 determined individuals in Dallas not afraid to [use of two skull emojis],” promising “$10K for each ICE agent.”
Aguilar was detained in Dallas with a loaded handgun following the alleged threat written in Spanish. (DHS)
Authorities interpret the skull emojis as a stand-in for the word “die.”
Upon his arrest, Aguilar was reportedly found with a loaded 9mm handgun in his car, an act considered a felony in the United States.
DHS officials said Aguilar entered the country illegally in 2018, as an unaccompanied minor.
On Feb. 8, 2019, an immigration judge issued him a final order of removal.
A screengrab of the TikTok video showed two skull emojis, known to represent death. (DHS)
His criminal history in the U.S. includes charges of violating liquor laws, according to DHS.
DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said the shocking social media threat could have cost American lives.
“Thanks to the quick work of law enforcement, this illegal alien who was offering $10,000 cash bounties for the murder of ICE law enforcement is in custody and facing federal charges,” McLaughlin said. “We are thankful this illegal alien who had a firearm in his possession was arrested before he could kill one of our law enforcement officers.”
Federal authorities made the arrest in Dallas, according to DHS. (Matt Nager/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
She noted agents are facing ambushes, terrorist attacks and death threats, “all because they dare to enforce the laws passed by Congress.”
“We will not back down from these threats, and every criminal, terrorist, and illegal alien will face American justice,” McLaughlin said.
Aguilar made his initial appearance Wednesday in front of a U.S. Magistrate Judge in Dallas, who ordered that he remain detained in federal custody, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Texas.
If convicted, he faces a maximum of five years in federal prison.
TikTok did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
