In a startling development from America’s heartland, an Indiana man faces serious charges after allegedly plotting violence against billionaire Elon Musk. Could this case redefine the boundary between protected speech and criminal threat in our increasingly polarized nation?
At a Glance
- David Allen June Cherry from Indiana was arrested for making death threats against Elon Musk on X
- Police discovered an AR-15-style rifle, handgun, ammunition, and a ballistic vest during a search of Cherry’s home
- Cherry faces a felony intimidation charge, punishable by up to six years in prison and a $10,000 fine
- The suspect allegedly threatened to “gut” Musk and “parade” his “corpse through the streets”
- Cherry’s defense attorney argued the threatening posts constitute protected political speech
Threats and Arsenal: Inside the Case Against David Cherry
Law enforcement officials in Indiana have apprehended 28-year-old David Allen June Cherry following a series of disturbing threats directed at tech billionaire and Trump administration advisor Elon Musk. The investigation began after Texas authorities alerted Indiana law enforcement about alarming posts Cherry made on X, the social media platform owned by Musk since 2022.
According to police reports, Cherry’s posts contained explicit death threats, including plans to “gun down” Musk and place a bomb in his house. The severity of these threats prompted a swift response from law enforcement, who located and arrested Cherry in Clarksville, Indiana.
During a search of Cherry’s residence, investigators discovered an AR-15-style rifle, a handgun, ammunition, and a ballistic vest – raising serious concerns about his ability and intent to carry out the threatened violence.
Indiana Man Arrested for Threatening to 'Gut' Elon Musk – Loses Rifle, Pistol, Ballistic Vest. He definitely needs to be arrested and be psychologically assessed for mental health. Owning guns is the right of sane citizens who don't make death threats.https://t.co/n0DVLuB4Rf
— Annie Pistol Packin Oakley (@AnneRifleOakley) February 28, 2025
Cherry now faces a level five felony charge of intimidation under Indiana law, which specifically addresses threats involving deadly weapons. If convicted, he could face up to six years in prison and fines reaching $10,000. Despite the severity of the charges, Cherry was initially released on a $2,500 bond, though his X account has been suspended.
Cherry’s defense attorney has attempted to frame the threats as protected political expression, arguing that his client’s statements fall under First Amendment protections. However, law enforcement officials have rejected this interpretation, taking the unusual step of stripping Cherry of his gun rights while the case proceeds – an indication of how seriously authorities are treating the potential danger.
“Political speech has kind of the highest place in our constitutional hierarchy of what’s allowed, and there’s no question what the state says may have happened would be political speech,” the attorney said.
The case emerges against a backdrop of heightened political tensions surrounding Musk’s role in the Trump administration. As co-chair of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), Musk has become a lightning rod for political controversy, with his government efficiency initiatives facing legal challenges from multiple Democratic-led states. Despite these challenges, a federal judge recently denied a request from 14 states seeking to block DOGE from accessing government data or terminating employees.
Opponents of Trump, Musk, and…well, conservatives in general, must finally get over their anger and figure out new ways to deal with their opponents. This can’t go on!
