KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WOKI / WVLT) — A Knoxville man is facing multiple federal charges after prosecutors say he used social media to make threats against President Donald Trump, federal law enforcement officials, and local public officials.
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, Garry Lee Williams, 44, of Knoxville, was indicted by a federal grand jury on July 28 on 22 federal counts related to alleged threats made online between January and April 2026.
Federal prosecutors allege Williams used TikTok to post messages announcing his intent to murder or injure public officials and encouraging others to commit similar acts.
The indictment alleges Williams made:
- 11 separate threats against President Donald Trump
- One threat against a member of the president’s immediate family
- Seven separate threats against the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation
- Two threats targeting the Knox County Sheriff and the Knoxville Police Chief
- One threat directed at numerous family members
The charges include threats against the president, interstate threats, and threats to murder federal law enforcement officers.
Williams appeared in federal court Tuesday and entered a plea of not guilty to all charges. A judge ordered that he remain in custody pending trial.
His trial is currently scheduled to begin on October 6.
The Department of Justice said that if Williams is convicted on all counts, he faces a combined maximum sentence of 145 years in federal prison.
As with all criminal cases, the charges contained in the indictment are allegations, and Williams is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
