Oahu Man Faces Decades for Instagram Kill Threats

Oahu resident Lindsey Kinney, 44, is staring down a potential decade behind bars after a federal jury found him guilty of posting chilling threats to kill on Instagram. Kinney targeted multiple individuals – including government officials and their families – with violent language and specific calls for bloodshed, according to evidence presented in court. The verdict, delivered before Chief United States District Judge Derrick K. Watson, underscores the escalating danger of online radicalization and the feds’ commitment to prosecuting digital threats as real-world crimes.

The trial revealed Kinney’s obsession with specific victims. In one count, prosecutors demonstrated Kinney threatened to behead three people – a government official (Victim 1), his wife (Victim 2), and a close friend (Victim 3). Kinney’s posts explicitly referenced Victim 1’s official title, suggesting a targeted and premeditated attack. The feds argued Kinney fixated on perceived slights involving Victim 1, extending the vitriol to those connected to him.

But the threats didn’t stop at words. A particularly disturbing 15-minute video posted by Kinney detailed plans to kill two *more* government officials (Victims 4 and 5) and even harm Victim 4’s security detail. The video, laced with obscenity, allegedly referenced “treason and human trafficking” as justification for the planned violence. Kinney reportedly stated he would “cut their heads off” at an unspecified location. The video prompted immediate and significant security upgrades for both victims.

The chilling specifics of the threats forced a rapid response. Victim 4’s security staff went on high alert, and armed personnel were deployed to Victim 5’s office. Federal prosecutors meticulously pieced together Kinney’s online activity, establishing a clear pattern of escalating aggression and intent to harm. While Kinney’s motive remains somewhat murky, the evidence suggests a deep-seated animosity toward government officials and a willingness to act on his violent fantasies.

“This isn’t just keyboard warrior garbage,” said a source close to the investigation. “This guy was actively plotting violence, and the feds moved fast to stop him before he could turn those threats into reality.” US Attorney Clare E. Connors and FBI Special Agent in Charge Steven Merrill both issued statements praising the jury’s decision and emphasizing the seriousness of online threats. The FBI led the investigation, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Elliot Enoki prosecuting the case.

Kinney remains in custody and is scheduled to be sentenced on May 23, 2023. He faces a maximum of five years imprisonment for each of the two counts – a total of ten years. This case serves as a stark warning: the internet is not a shield from prosecution, and threats of violence, even made online, carry severe consequences. Those seeking information or assistance related to the case can contact the USAO-HI Honolulu Office or the Victim Witness Assistance program.