A Columbus, Ohio, man accused of threatening Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents appeared before a federal judge Thursday and will remain behind bars as the case moves forward.
Justin Novoa, 21, was charged this week by Homeland Security Investigations with threats to assault or murder a federal law enforcement officer and threatening interstate communications. He waived his detention hearing and is being held without bond pending trial at the Franklin County Jail.
According to court records, investigators were alerted Dec. 11, 2025, to alleged threats posted on X under the handle “@Father2High.” One post dated June 8, 2025, stated that “they should blast every ice agent they find.” Another post from November read, “cant wait to shoot these p*y ice agents and ret**d maga maggots.”
Investigators obtained account records from X Corp., which included an email address in Novoa’s name and a phone number with a Columbus-area 614 prefix. A subsequent search warrant executed on the account uncovered additional posts containing antisemitic rhetoric, including references to Adolf Hitler and gas chambers.
Court documents say many of the posts described Jewish people as “subhuman” or “filthy,” with repeated claims that they should be exterminated.
On Dec. 20, 2025, agents executed a search warrant at Novoa’s Columbus residence. When investigators explained they were there regarding threats, Novoa allegedly responded, “Alright, you got me. That was me,” followed by, “Damn, so Elon [Musk] does give you access to that.”
During the search, agents seized two rifles, two shotguns, one handgun, and ammunition from Novoa’s bedroom. Photos included in the filing show a Palestinian flag hanging on the wall, along with two helmets and a plate carrier.
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Novoa has not been charged with any weapons offenses, and court filings indicate he was not prohibited from possessing firearms. A search of Franklin County records shows no adult criminal history beyond two traffic citations from 2023.
Despite the December search, charges were not formally filed until roughly a month later. Novoa is scheduled to return to court for a preliminary hearing on Feb. 5.
