Isaac Sissel, Threatening Christians, Michigan 2025

Defendant Sentenced to 30 Months for Threatening Christians

DETROIT, Michigan - Isaac Sissel, 26, has been sentenced to 30 months for threatening to kill conservative Christians with an AR-15 assault rifle, announced United States Attorney Jerome F. Gorgon Jr.

According to court documents, in September 2024, Sissel created Reddit accounts with names like “ShootUpTrumpRally” and “PlanningToKillTrump.” And then, on November 2, Sissel sent an anonymous tip to the FBI claiming that he would “carry out an attack against conservative christan filth in the event trump wins the election,” and said that he had a “stolen ar15.”

Sissel sent his threat two days before President Trump’s campaign rally in Michigan, three days before the 2024 Presidential election, and four months after President Trump was shot at a campaign rally with an AR-style weapon. As a convicted felon, Sissel is prohibited from possessing firearms, however there was no evidence that Sissel actually possessed a weapon, including an AR-15.

In April 2025, Sissel pleaded guilty to one count of transmitting threats in interstate commerce. The government also charged Sissel with a Hate Crimes Motivation enhancement, meaning that he selected his victims because of their actual or perceived religion. The Court agreed and applied the enhancement to Sissel’s sentence.

“We live in evil times,” U.S. Attorney Gorgon said. “Even in America, Christians are routinely targeted for death by violent extremists like this man. The First Amendment is a safeguard of religious liberty and free speech—and so it does not protect true threats that undermine religious liberty.”

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Hank Moon and Micah Wallace.

Defendant: Isaac Sissel

Criminal Charges: One count of transmitting threats in interstate commerce and Hate Crimes Motivation enhancement

City and State: Detroit, Michigan

Exact Date: April 2025 (sentencing date)

Sentence: 30 months

Defendant Name: Isaac Sissel

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-edmi/pr/rambling-man-sentenced-threatening-christians