Feds Pin Indiana State U Extortionist on $500k Threats

Feds Pin Indiana State U Extortionist on $500k Threats

A 27-year-old former Indiana State University student has been federally indicted on charges of transmitting extortionate threats and threats via interstate commerce. Nicholas Wheeler, 27, of California, faces up to 20 years in federal prison if convicted of the most serious offense.

According to the indictment, Wheeler made violent threats against Indiana State University, its professors, and two of his former attorneys over social media platform ‘X’ (formerly Twitter) on March 16th and 17th, 2024. Wheeler claimed that if the individuals did not give him $500,000 or investigate his claim of being a victim of a crime, he would kill or injure them.

The indictment alleges that Wheeler sent messages including threats such as "I’m coming to take your souls… closed casket funerals," and "empty your bank accounts, I’m coming for blood Indiana State University," accompanied by posts claiming to own a loaded machine gun and body armor.

Wheeler attended Indiana State University from August 2018 through August 2023. At the time of the threats, he was living in California.

The FBI is investigating this case, and U.S. Attorney Myers has thanked Assistant United States Attorney Jordan Oliver for prosecuting this case.

An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Wheeler could face up to 20 years in federal prison if convicted of the most serious offense. The FBI is leading the investigation into this case.