Indiana man arrested for making threats against Elon Musk
An Indiana man has been arrested for allegedly making threats against billionaire Elon Musk on X, formerly Twitter.
The suspect, 28-year-old David Allen June Cherry, is facing a felony charge of intimidation, as confirmed by the Indiana State Police in a Facebook post.
The investigation began on Tuesday after Texas authorities alerted Indiana law enforcement about an X account linked to Cherry, which reportedly posted threats against Musk earlier this month. Cherry was arrested without incident in Clarksville, Indiana, a town near the Kentucky border. He was then taken to the Sellersburg Post for questioning before being transported to the Harrison County Jail, where he is currently being held without bond.
A subsequent search of Cherry’s home in Palmyra revealed an AR-15-style rifle, a handgun, ammunition, and a ballistic vest, according to police. While specific details of the threats were not provided, Indiana law classifies level five intimidation as involving the threat of a deadly weapon, with potential penalties of up to six years in prison and a $10,000 fine.
Musk, who owns SpaceX, Tesla, and X, has gained prominence as a key ally of former President Donald Trump, particularly in his role overseeing the controversial Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a program aimed at reducing federal spending. This new role has sparked legal challenges and criticism, with opponents accusing Trump of granting Musk “unchecked” power.
On Tuesday, a federal judge rejected a request from 14 Democratic-led states to block DOGE from accessing government data or firing employees.
The arrest fueled intense online debate, with users on both sides weighing in on the situation. Some pointed to the suspect’s background, with one person posting, "Of course it's a dude from Indiana that also looks like he's from Indiana." Others blamed political rhetoric, arguing, "The left’s rhetoric is out of control. They scream about ‘democracy’ while openly encouraging violence."