Legally Blind Kansas Biker Faces Federal Charges Over Social Media Death Threats Targeting Ilhan Omar
A legally blind self-described "outlaw biker" from Wichita, Kansas, is confronting serious federal charges after allegedly issuing explicit death threats against Democratic Congresswoman Ilhan Omar on social media. The case, first reported by The Independent, centres on Adam Lee Osborn, a 60-year-old MAGA supporter, whose inflammatory online posts have drawn the attention of federal investigators.
Explicit Threats and Racist Rhetoric Uncovered
According to a probable cause affidavit examined by The Independent, Osborn posted a direct threat on Facebook on January 23, declaring, "I'm going to kill Ilhan Omar!" When questioned by investigators the following day, Osborn reportedly confirmed writing the posts, initially dismissing them as mere "venting." He explained his hostility stemmed from Omar's perceived "disrespect for the United States and using God's name in vain."
During the interview, the affidavit alleges Osborn used deeply offensive racial slurs and profanity to describe the Minnesota congresswoman, stating that "someone needs to do something to 'em." His vitriol extended beyond Omar, targeting New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, another Muslim public official, with similar violent suggestions.
Social Media Trail Reveals Violent Ideology
An examination of Osborn's Facebook activity, conducted under the pseudonym "Lee Mason," painted a disturbing picture. In one post, he shared an image of himself brandishing an assault-style rifle while holding a high-capacity magazine, with an associate commenting, "Get right with God and get ready to rock-n-f****in-roll!!" to which Osborn replied, "[O]h I'm geared up, brother!"
Other posts included a direct warning: "Ilhan Omar/you're dead!" alongside content praising former President Donald Trump and expressing vehement anti-immigrant sentiments. One post read, "If illegals can come here unimpeded, I can kill them unimpeded," while another lamented, "How the f**k do I end up a minority in my own country? This sh*t comes to an end, NOW!"
Investigation and Arrest Details
The investigation began after the Kansas Bureau of Investigation submitted an emergency disclosure request to Facebook following a series of threats from the "Lee Mason" account. Facebook provided subscriber information that traced back to Osborn in Wichita. Law enforcement databases confirmed the link, leading Wichita Police detectives, including one deputised for federal enforcement, to locate Osborn at a local inpatient healthcare facility.
Upon contact, Osborn immediately identified the subject as concerning "Ilhan Omar" and admitted authorship of the threatening posts. He claimed the rifle in his photograph belonged to a friend and asserted his legal blindness meant he possessed no weapons and lacked the means to travel, stating he "doesn't have the means" to carry out the threats himself.
Concerning Admission of Intent
Most alarmingly, the affidavit records Osborn admitting his posts aimed to "maybe provoke someone to handle business," clarifying that "handle business" meant "take 'em out" and "kill them." When detectives suggested his words indicated a desire for Omar and Mamdani to be killed, Osborn responded that he "wouldn't mind if they were killed."
Broader Context of Political Violence
This incident occurs against a backdrop of heightened political animosity. Former President Trump has recently intensified his criticism of Rep. Omar, who was born in Somalia and came to the US as a refugee, deriding her as "garbage" and accusing her of fraud without evidence. Research indicates such rhetoric correlates with increased hate crimes against Muslims.
Seamus Hughes, an extremism expert at the University of Nebraska Omaha, told The Independent, "The ease with which some Americans freely wish death on public servants should be concerning for us all. There continues to be a concerning number of people in this country who think there are no consequences for encouraging violence over political disagreements."
Charges and Legal Proceedings
Adam Lee Osborn now faces two federal charges: one count of interstate communications with a threat to injure, carrying a potential five-year prison sentence, and one count of influencing, impeding and retaliating against a federal official by threatening, which carries up to ten years. Court records indicate he does not yet have an attorney listed, and attempts to reach him for comment were unsuccessful as his listed phone number was out of service.
The case underscores ongoing concerns about the intersection of online rhetoric, political extremism, and real-world threats against elected officials in today's volatile climate.
