A Florida man from West Palm Beach has been apprehended after allegedly making online threats against President Donald Trump on Facebook.

Shannon Depararro Atkins, aged 46, was charged with felony intimidation, along with drug-related offenses, after law enforcement discovered posts in which he appeared to call for the assassination of Trump, as Fox News reports.

The events unfolded when the FBI's National Threat Operations Center received a tip late on Sunday regarding alarming comments made on the social media platform.

Atkins reportedly made disturbing references to historical figures who were assassinated, drawing a comparison with Trump and intimating his desire for another assassination.

Investigation Unveils Disturbing Social Media Posts

A detective from Palm Beach took up the case by Monday, investigating the online threats. The detective uncovered posts from Atkins that included references to Abraham Lincoln, John F. Kennedy, and others, suggesting that while they had been victims of assassinations, Trump had not been.

One of Atkins’ posts reportedly stated his hope for someone to make an attempt on Trump's life, claiming there had not been such an incident in "years." This led to a probable cause warrant and surveillance of Atkins to assess the threat level he posed.

Arrest Follows Drug Discovery

On Friday evening, authorities arrested Atkins near one of his residences at approximately 7:30 p.m. During the arrest, law enforcement found three bags of cocaine in his possession.

Atkins was subsequently charged with smuggling contraband, in addition to intimidation stemming from his online threats.

Upon questioning, Atkins admitted to making the Facebook posts but insisted that his comments were meant as a joke. Nonetheless, local authorities and federal agencies are treating the matter with utmost seriousness.

Police Warn Against Threatening Conduct

Tony Araujo, the Interim Police Chief of West Palm Beach, emphasized the gravity of such threats. Araujo remarked, "This is not a joke. Nothing of that sort is a joke."

He underscored the significant attention threats receive from law enforcement, referencing past incidents where threats escalated into real-world actions.

"We have incident after incident, example after example, of when these threats become real," Araujo commented. He added that the focus remains on determining whether a potential threat was neutralized with Atkins’ arrest. "Did we avert something? You never know."

Federal Role in Investigation Continues

As the investigation continues, both the Secret Service and the FBI are involved, delving into Atkins' actions to decide whether federal charges are warranted. The Secret Service communicated its stance in an email, explaining its policy to refrain from commenting on protective intelligence matters.

Nevertheless, the agency affirmed that it investigates all threats made against individuals they protect, highlighting the seriousness with which such cases are treated.

Bail Status and Legal Proceedings Unfold

Currently, bond for Atkins’ drug-related charges has been set at $5,000. However, given the severity of the intimidation charges related to the threats against Trump, bond has been denied for those accusations.

The legal proceedings are in their initial stages, and it remains to be seen how the investigation will unfold or what charges Atkins may ultimately face.

Security experts and law enforcement will continue to work closely to assess any further risks related to Atkins' actions.

The case serves as a reminder of the legal implications surrounding threats against public figures and the significant attention such actions may attract from authorities dedicated to maintaining security and the rule of law.