White Springs Man Charged with Threatening Secret Service Agents

Jacksonville, Florida — A chilling crime unfolded in the Sunshine State as Eric Evan Brown, a 57-year-old man from White Springs, was indicted for forcibly assaulting and threatening to kill two United States Secret Service agents. The indictment charges Brown with interstate transmission of a threat to injure, threatening a United States Secret Service Protectee, two counts of forcibly assaulting a federal officer without use of a deadly weapon, and two counts of threatening a federal official.

According to court documents, Brown’s reign of terror began on April 7, 2024, when he posted a threatening communication on X/Twitter, targeting the spouse of a former president of the United States. This heinous act did not go unnoticed, and a follow-up investigation was conducted by two U.S. Secret Service agents on May 9, 2024. However, Brown’s malevolent intentions did not cease, and he threatened to assault and murder both agents, bringing his total to two counts of forcibly assaulting a federal officer without use of a deadly weapon and two counts of threatening a federal official.

U.S. Attorney Roger B. Handberg announced the return of the indictment, warning that Brown faces up to 10 years in federal prison for each count of threatening a federal official, up to 8 years in prison for each count of forcibly assaulting a federal officer, and up to 5 years in prison for the transmission of a threat and threat against a U.S. Secret Service Protectee.

An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty. However, the severity of Brown’s crimes cannot be ignored, and the full weight of the law will be brought to bear if he is found guilty.

The case was investigated by the U.S. Secret Service – Jacksonville Field Office, with assistance from the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Kevin C. Frein will be prosecuting the case, ensuring that justice is served.

Brown made his appearance in federal court on May 20, 2024, and was ordered detained. The people of Florida demand justice, and it is up to our law enforcement agencies to provide it. Brown’s crimes are a stark reminder of the dangers that our nation’s law enforcement officers face daily, and we must stand in solidarity with them in their quest for justice.

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