Adam Bies, Making Threats of Violence, Pennsylvania 2023

Adam Bies, a 46-year-old from Mercer, Pennsylvania, has been arrested for making threats of violence against the FBI. Bies, who is charged with influencing, impeding or retaliating against federal law enforcement officers, remains in custody pending a detention hearing.

According to court documents, the FBI National Threat Operations Section Social Media Exploitation team received a tip from MEMRI Domestic Terrorism Threat Monitor on August 11 regarding Gab user “BlankFocus,” later identified as Bies, who allegedly posted violent threats towards the FBI and law enforcement.

The posts from Bies included statements such as: “My only goal is to kill more of them before I drop” and “If You Work For The FBI Then You Deserve To Die.” In another post, Bies wrote: “Every single piece of [expletive] who works for the FBI in any capacity, from the director down to the janitor who cleans their [expletive] toilets deserves to die. You’ve declared war on us and now it’s open season on YOU.”

The FBI’s Pittsburgh Field Office, North Country Violent Offender Task Force, Pennsylvania State Police and the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General are investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey Bengel is prosecuting the case.

Bies is facing a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison if convicted. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Bies made his initial appearance in federal court today in Pittsburgh. He is currently being held in custody pending a detention hearing.

It is essential to note that a criminal complaint is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.