Federal Grand Jury Charges Man With Threatening Federal Agent, Wife
AP Photo/John McDonnell
Posted For: Rotorblade
A federal grand jury has indicted two men accused of threatening to harm a U.S. Department of Homeland Security Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) deportation officer and his wife.
According to court filings, Frank Andrew Waszut, 41, of Knoxville, Tennessee, allegedly posted a video on Instagram identifying and showing photos of an ICE deportation officer working and living in the Northern District of Georgia.
In the video, Waszut reportedly said, “And he’s an ICE agent. This is him unmasked… So, go ahead and make him famous. And if you see this [expletive] out in public, give him the cell block one treatment. You know, catch him when he’s alone.” Authorities said the phrase “cell block one treatment” refers to acts of physical violence typically inflicted on detainees.
Anthony Patrick Noto, 63, of Ronkonkoma, New York, allegedly posted a threatening comment on Instagram under a photo of the officer’s wife, writing, “Anybody wanna test the sites [sic] on their new A-R? There’s a pretty good target right there!” The term “A-R” refers to a semiautomatic rifle.
“Federal agents deserve to perform their duties free of harassment from keyboard warriors and other agitators,” said U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg. “Threatening law enforcement officers and their families is not only illegal—it’s disgusting. My office will ensure that anyone who threatens a federal agent in North Georgia, or hides behind a computer screen to intimidate that agent’s family, is found, arrested, prosecuted, and held accountable.”
Noto has been taken into federal custody and arraigned on his indictment. Waszut remains in state custody in Texas, where he faces separate charges for making terroristic threats against Republican lawmakers. The two men were indicted by a federal grand jury on September 23, 2025.
“Threats of violence against law enforcement officers and their families are not only reprehensible but a direct attack on the safety and integrity of our justice system,” said Paul Brown, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. “These charges serve as a clear reminder that such threats will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
The Federal Bureau of Investigation is leading the investigation, and the case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brent Alan Gray and Eric White.
Officials emphasized that the indictments are only allegations, and both defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
For further information, the public may contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6185, or visit www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.
President Donald Trump’s administration has made immigration enforcement and deportation of illegal immigrants a top national priority.
According to the Department of Homeland Security, more than 2 million illegal immigrants have either been deported or chosen to self-deport within the first 250 days of President Trump’s current term.
Earlier this month, federal authorities also arrested an illegal alien accused of offering a $10,000 bounty on a federal agent — an incident officials said underscores the growing risks faced by immigration officers carrying out their duties.
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