Michael Kovco, Threatening Federal Officer, Illinois 2026

CHICAGO – Michael Kovco, 29, of Chicago, is in federal custody after allegedly threatening to “shoot up” a United States Secret Service office and “hunt” a Secret Service agent, according to a criminal complaint unsealed today. The threats came after agents visited Kovco’s residence to investigate a previous threat directed at President Donald J. Trump and one of his sons.

The escalation began on March 17, 2026, when Kovco sent a message via the official White House website, signing it as “Mr. I’m going to [expletive] kill your child Kovco.” Just two days later, on March 19th, Kovco allegedly doubled down, sending a second message through the same channel. This time, he specifically threatened violence against the office and family of the agent who had come to his door. “I’m gonna hunt the secret service agent that comes to my door’s family so he better not tell me any identifying information at all like first or last name or pet name or address or place of work because im going to buy a small concealable firearm and go shoot up his place of work immediately if he tells me anything,” the complaint states.

Kovco was arrested on April 3, 2026, and is now charged with transmitting a threat in interstate commerce. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Illinois is seeking his continued detention pending trial. A detention hearing is scheduled for April 10, 2026, in federal court.

“As I have stated repeatedly during my first year as United States Attorney, it is never acceptable to threaten a law enforcement officer, political figure, or a member of their family,” stated U.S. Attorney Andrew S. Boutros. “Under my watch, political violence will be dealt with as the serious federal crime that it is.” Boutros pledged a vigorous prosecution, working with both federal and local law enforcement.

Dai Tran, Special Agent-in-Charge of the U.S. Secret Service Chicago Field Office, emphasized the agency’s commitment to protecting its protectees. “The U.S. Secret Service’s top priority is safeguarding the President of the United States and all those we protect,” Tran said. “We take any threats seriously and aggressively pursue them to ensure our protectees’ safety.” The Chicago Police Department provided valuable assistance in the investigation.

If convicted of transmitting a threat in interstate commerce, Kovco faces a maximum sentence of five years in federal prison. The government reminds the public that the complaint is not proof of guilt, and Kovco is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Assistant U.S. Attorney Nina Ruvinsky is prosecuting the case.

Source: https://www.secretservice.gov/newsroom/releases/2026/04/chicago-man-charged-threatening-shoot-united-states-secret-service-office