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Untied States of America v. Jaden J. Reed
Date: 10-20-2026
Case Number: 6:26-mj-06254
Judge: Gwynne E. Birzer
Court: United States District Court for the District of Kansas (Sedgwick County)
Plaintiff's Attorney: Molly M. Gordon
Defendant's Attorney:
Click Here For The Best Wichita Criminal Defense Lawyer Directory
Description:
Wichita, Kansas criminal defense lawyer represents the Defendant charged with making threats against the President, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 871.
On October 15th, a Crime Stoppers tip led authorities to a Facebook post where Jaden Read made comments in response to a KAKE News article detailing President Trump’s upcoming visit to Wichita, KS on October 19th, 2026. Jaden J. Read’s threatening comments raised concern among the authorities. Read posted on Facebook: “Let’s shoot Trump honestly, where’s our shooter? I’m tired of living this money life” and immediately after his first comment, Read posted a second comment on the same KAKE News Article stating: “I just got a 308 and 305 round and I’m killing this pedo”.
Authorities found Read made two more threating comments in response to a different article by KWCH 12 News discussing President Trump’s upcoming visit. In this threat, Read commented: “Can we shoot him in Kansas please I will myself.” And a minute later Read posted “IK where your speech will be. Already mapped out roofs around. Finna get kirked since yall couldn’t help him”.
18 U.S.C. § 871 makes it a federal crime to knowingly and willfully make, mail, or convey any threat to kill, kidnap, or inflict bodily harm upon the U.S. President, President-elect, Vice President, Vice President-elect, or any officer next in the order of succession to the presidency.
Key Details of the Statute
• Offense: Sending a written threat through the mail or making a verbal, written, or electronic threat against the protected officials.
• Penalties: Punishable by a fine under Title 18, up to 5 years in federal prison, or both.
• Legal Standard: The prosecution must prove a "true threat"—meaning a reasonable person would view the statement as a serious expression of an intent to harm, rather than idle talk, a joke, political hyperbole, or satire.
• Enforcement: The U.S. Secret Service investigates suspected violations of this statute.
You can read the full text of the law via the Legal Information Institute or the U.S. House of Representatives Office of the Law Revision Counsel.
If you'd like, I can share information on how federal courts distinguish true threats from political hyperbole under this statute.
On October 15th, a Crime Stoppers tip led authorities to a Facebook post where Jaden Read made comments in response to a KAKE News article detailing President Trump’s upcoming visit to Wichita, KS on October 19th, 2026. Jaden J. Read’s threatening comments raised concern among the authorities. Read posted on Facebook: “Let’s shoot Trump honestly, where’s our shooter? I’m tired of living this money life” and immediately after his first comment, Read posted a second comment on the same KAKE News Article stating: “I just got a 308 and 305 round and I’m killing this pedo”.
Authorities found Read made two more threating comments in response to a different article by KWCH 12 News discussing President Trump’s upcoming visit. In this threat, Read commented: “Can we shoot him in Kansas please I will myself.” And a minute later Read posted “IK where your speech will be. Already mapped out roofs around. Finna get kirked since yall couldn’t help him”.
18 U.S.C. § 871 makes it a federal crime to knowingly and willfully make, mail, or convey any threat to kill, kidnap, or inflict bodily harm upon the U.S. President, President-elect, Vice President, Vice President-elect, or any officer next in the order of succession to the presidency.
Key Details of the Statute
• Offense: Sending a written threat through the mail or making a verbal, written, or electronic threat against the protected officials.
• Penalties: Punishable by a fine under Title 18, up to 5 years in federal prison, or both.
• Legal Standard: The prosecution must prove a "true threat"—meaning a reasonable person would view the statement as a serious expression of an intent to harm, rather than idle talk, a joke, political hyperbole, or satire.
• Enforcement: The U.S. Secret Service investigates suspected violations of this statute.
You can read the full text of the law via the Legal Information Institute or the U.S. House of Representatives Office of the Law Revision Counsel.
If you'd like, I can share information on how federal courts distinguish true threats from political hyperbole under this statute.
Outcome:
A criminal indictment is not proof of guilt.
Plaintiff's Experts:
Defendant's Experts:
Comments:
About This Case
What was the outcome of Untied States of America v. Jaden J. Reed?
The outcome was: A criminal indictment is not proof of guilt.
Which court heard Untied States of America v. Jaden J. Reed?
This case was heard in United States District Court for the District of Kansas (Sedgwick County), KS. The presiding judge was Gwynne E. Birzer.
Who were the attorneys in Untied States of America v. Jaden J. Reed?
Plaintiff's attorney: Molly M. Gordon. Defendant's attorney: Click Here For The Best Wichita Criminal Defense Lawyer Directory.
When was Untied States of America v. Jaden J. Reed decided?
This case was decided on October 20, 2026.