Florida attorney Lisa White arrested for threatening to kill ICE officers
A Florida attorney has been indicted by a federal grand jury for threatening to kill US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers. Lisa C. White, of Mississippi, attempted to purchase a firearm at a gun shop and allegedly told employees that it would be used to murder ICE officers, requesting a firearm that could pierce through body armor, according to the complaint filed in the US District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi.
The shop employee declined to sell her a gun and reported the September 23 incident to authorities. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) special agents arrested White, who faces one count of threatening a federal law enforcement officer.
On September 23, White entered High Caliber Guns located in Long Beach, Mississippi, and attempted to purchase a firearm and pepper spray. She reportedly told a shop employee that she needed a gun to protect herself at protests, saying "ICE agents are becoming crazy and wild, and I need a gun because I'm a protester and activist," according to the complaint.
White allegedly stated her intent to kill ICE officers, asking if the available handguns she was shown could penetrate through body armor. White then specified that she would need to "hit them in the head, shoulder, arm, or leg" if the bullets could not pierce through bulletproof vests, the complaint states. When the employee told White that pointing a firearm at a federal officer could get her killed, White reportedly responded, "If I have to die, I have to die....[ICE] are shooting people in the back...and killing innocent protesters."
The employee discouraged the purchase and recommended mace instead. White was directed to the "GunHo" shooting range for training. She returned to High Caliber Guns about an hour later to finalize a purchase for a 9mm handgun. The owner declined the sale and told White to return in two days. Several hours later, HSI special agents interviewed GunHo employees, who reported that White had rented two 9mm handguns and fired them at the range. She also purchased 50 rounds of ammunition and claimed to be a US Army veteran, describing herself as an "expert shooter." White also allegedly stated her intent to return to the shop to purchase an AR-15 rifle, according to the complaint.
Records show that White has been an active attorney in the state of Florida since 1995.
White pleaded not guilty on October 15. A judge ordered White to remain in custody pending trial due to the severity of the allegations. If convicted, White could be sentenced to up to 10 years in federal prison.
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