Three University of South Alabama students have been arrested on federal charges after allegedly posting separate threats against President Donald Trump ahead of his campaign rally on the university’s campus.
Amare Jemal Woods, Cameron Lamark Lewis and Kayla Leaann Smith were taken into custody on Friday and charged with making threats against the president.
The FBI said the arrests were coordinated with the US Secret Service, the US Attorney’s Office, university police, Mobile police, Saraland police and the Alabama Fusion Center.
Authorities stressed that the three students allegedly acted independently and are not accused of coordinating their messages.
Trump proceeded with his rally at the university’s Mitchell Center in Mobile on Friday evening despite the arrests.
FBI discovered posts during security review
According to federal court documents, investigators uncovered the posts while reviewing social media activity ahead of Trump’s scheduled appearance.
The messages were discovered during an intelligence search conducted on September 29.
Investigators reportedly used emergency disclosure requests and information supplied by University of South Alabama police to identify the people behind the accounts.
The allegations against the students have not been proven in court.
Woods accused of posting ‘he gotta die’
Woods, an 18-year-old freshman, is accused of posting a threatening comment on TikTok on September 27.
According to an FBI affidavit, Woods used the account “jemaltherealone” to respond to a video concerning Trump’s forthcoming visit.
“He gotta die bro,” he allegedly wrote, accompanied by a crying emoji.
Woods’ lawyer, Jason Darley, argued that his client never intended to harm the president and was not capable of carrying out an attack.
“It’s unfortunate because he’s a very young, very small kid and he’s sitting in federal court,” Darley said.
“As I told the judge, this kid is the furthest away from any defendant I’ve ever represented in federal court in 21 years.”
Darley acknowledged that the Secret Service treats threats against the president extremely seriously but said he did not consider Woods dangerous.
“If this kid is a threat, then everybody pecking on a keyboard is a threat,” he said.
Lewis allegedly referenced Charlie Kirk assassination
Lewis is accused of publishing two messages on X on September 26.
One post allegedly stated that people would remember the University of South Alabama in the same way they remembered Utah Valley University.
Federal investigators interpreted that statement as a reference to the September 2025 assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk during an event at Utah Valley University.
Another message allegedly referenced the fatal shooting of Chicago rapper Mikquale Cooper, better known as BloodHound Q50.
The FBI claims the wording appeared to advocate similar violence, although no evidence has been presented publicly suggesting that Lewis possessed a weapon or had taken practical steps towards an attack.
Smith accused of sharing mock-gun image
The charge against Smith relates to a TikTok response allegedly posted on September 29.
According to the affidavit, she responded to a video about Trump’s planned campus appearance by writing: “We only got one chance let’s take it.”
She allegedly followed the comment with an image showing someone pretending to hold a firearm.
Attorneys representing Lewis and Smith had not publicly commented on the allegations at the time of publication.
University condemns alleged threats
The University of South Alabama confirmed that the three people arrested were current students and condemned threats against elected officials.
“The University of South Alabama unequivocally condemns any form of threats directed at elected officials or any individual with whom we disagree,” the institution said.
“We encourage open dialogue and active civic participation, and having a difference of opinion is a natural part of any vibrant community.
“However, there is a clear line between exercising free expression and engaging in intimidation or unlawful conduct.”
The rally was held at a university venue but was not organised or sponsored by the institution.
Students face detention hearings
Woods, Lewis and Smith were ordered to remain in custody over the weekend and are scheduled to appear in federal court for detention hearings on Monday.
Darley said he would argue that Woods poses no danger and should be released while the case proceeds.
Under federal law, a conviction for knowingly and wilfully threatening the president can carry a maximum sentence of five years in prison.
In announcing the arrests, the FBI said they resulted from its continuing efforts to identify and prevent threats and targeted violence against government officials.
No evidence has been released suggesting that any of the three students had communicated with one another about the alleged threats or formed a joint plan.
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