David Bridges
An Amarillo man accused of threating law enforcement and government officials and a number of racial and ethnic groups on social media was charged in federal court.
Everett Wayne “Rhett” Copelin III, 40, was charged with interstate threats and threatening a federal officer, according to a Monday news release from the U.S Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Texas. It is unclear if he has an attorney.
Copelin was arrested Thursday in Amarillo. He had a 9mm pistol and three loaded magazines in his vehicle, the release said.
The numerous threats were made on social media platform Gab, according to a criminal complaint.
Throughout August and September, Copelin allegedly posted threats against various targets under the display name “Alpha Top Dog Pure Blood.”
The posts, according to the release, include:
- On Aug. 21, he allegedly threatened to kill young black men in relationships with white women.
- On Aug. 22, he allegedly threatened to “blow up” IRS agents.
- On Aug. 31, he allegedly threatened to go “kamikaze” against “white law enforcement.”
- On Sept. 5, he allegedly threatened to shoot police officers.
- On Sept. 8, he allegedly claimed he would “go down to the border … and start shooting invaders,” and allegedly added that he would “blow the FEDS away too.”
- Later the same day, he allegedly threatened to kill Jews in the government and law enforcement.
- On Sept. 14, he allegedly threatened to shoot Mexicans, who he felt “shouldn’t even be here.”
- On Sept. 25, he allegedly threatened to hang supporters of Texas gubernatorial candidate Beto O’Rourke.
The “kamikaze” post was flagged on Sept. 4 and sent to the FBI’s National Threat Operations Center, the release said.
Copelin is also accused of posting a call out for “all strong abled white alpha men with sniper rifles” to enforce the law, “because the government is corrupt,” according to the complaint. There were also photos of guns and bladed weapons posted to the Gab account.
If convicted, Copelin faces up to 15 years in federal prison.
