A federal aviation engineer from New Hampshire faces up to five years in prison after authorities arrested him for threatening to assassinate President Trump, just days after another attempt on the president’s life. Dean DelleChiaie, 35, used his government work computer to search methods for killing the president and researched how to smuggle firearms into federal facilities.

Government Employee’s Disturbing Search History

DelleChiaie, a mechanical engineer with the Federal Aviation Administration in Nashua, conducted alarming searches on his work computer that triggered a Secret Service investigation. Authorities discovered he researched the percentage of Americans who want Trump dead, previous assassination attempts on the president, and even typed “I am going to kill Donald John Trump” into his government-issued device. When Secret Service agents confronted him in February, DelleChiaie admitted to making the threats but claimed he was depressed, in therapy, and regularly used alcohol, marijuana, and other drugs. Despite these admissions, authorities released him without charges.

Escalation After Initial Warning

Following his release, DelleChiaie escalated his threatening behavior. On April 21, he allegedly sent an email to the White House from his personal account with the subject line “Contact the President.” The message stated: “I, Dean DelleChiaie, am going neutralize/kill you—Donald John Trump—because you decided to kill kids—and say that it was War—when in reality—it is terrorism. God knows your actions and where you belong.” Federal prosecutors charged him with communicating an interstate threat, a crime carrying a maximum sentence of five years and a $250,000 fine.

Pattern of Threats Against Trump

This arrest comes less than two weeks after an assassination attempt at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner targeted Trump and members of his administration. Just one week earlier, authorities arrested a Pennsylvania Democratic Senate candidate for threatening to kill President Trump and members of Congress. The pattern of violent threats against the president continues to alarm federal law enforcement officials who must investigate each credible danger. DelleChiaie appeared in court Tuesday and received a public defender to represent him in the case.

Questions About Initial Release

Critics are questioning why DelleChiaie remained free after his February confession to Secret Service agents. Despite admitting to making threats against the president while acknowledging his substance abuse and mental health issues, authorities took no immediate action. The decision to release him allowed the situation to escalate to an explicit written death threat sent directly to the White House. Federal authorities have not explained their initial decision not to charge DelleChiaie after his work computer searches and confession revealed clear warning signs of violent intent toward the president.