Who is Eduardo Aguilar? Texas Man Arrested for Allegedly Offering $10,000 Bounty on ICE Agents via TikTok

An undocumented immigrant from Mexico, Eduardo Aguilar, was arrested on Tuesday after allegedly posting a TikTok video offering a $10,000 bounty for the murder of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. The arrest follows an alarming trend of escalating threats against law enforcement officers amid heightened immigration enforcement actions across the U.S.

Aguilar, who had been living in Texas for several years, is said to have posted the video on October 9, calling for “10 dudes in Dallas with determination (guts) who aren’t afraid to” carry out killings, promising a reward of “10K for each ICE agent.” The video was discovered by authorities with the help of TikTok’s cyber department. During his arrest, law enforcement officers discovered a loaded 9mm handgun in Aguilar’s vehicle, which violates federal law prohibiting undocumented immigrants from possessing firearms.

“Threats against our law enforcement officers are completely unacceptable,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Nancy E. Larson. The alleged threat follows a troubling rise in assaults against immigration agents, with Homeland Security reporting a 1,000% increase in such incidents. This comes just weeks after a sniper-style attack in Dallas in which two detainees were killed outside an immigration facility.

Aguilar, 23, crossed into the U.S. illegally in 2018 as an unaccompanied minor and had a final order of removal issued in 2019. Records indicate he had faced previous liquor-related charges and federal detention. He now faces federal charges for sending threatening messages, with a potential sentence of up to five years in prison if convicted. He remains in federal custody pending trial.

DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin expressed gratitude that Aguilar was arrested before causing harm. “We are thankful this illegal alien, who had a firearm in his possession, was arrested before he could kill one of our law enforcement officers. Our agents face ambushes, terrorist attacks, and death threats simply for enforcing U.S. law.”

The arrest of Aguilar follows a similar case earlier this month in which Juan Espinoza-Martinez, another undocumented immigrant, was arrested for offering a $10,000 bounty on a Border Patrol commander via Snapchat.

Authorities have pledged to continue investigating and prosecuting anyone who threatens ICE or Border Patrol agents.