Texas man arrested over alleged death threats against pro-Israel, Jewish, and conservative media figures

Nicholas Ray, 28, of Spring, Texas, was taken into custody Monday on an arrest warrant. He is set to be extradited to Florida and faces charges of extortion, written threats to kill, and unlawful use of a two-way communication device, according to Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier, who announced Ray’s arrest in a post on X.

“Last week, our Office of Statewide Prosecution was notified of multiple, specific threats made to Jewish conservative media members who live in Florida. After an investigation, we obtained an arrest warrant for Nicholas Ray of Spring, TX,” wrote Uthmeier. “Ray is now in custody and will be extradited to Florida to face charges of extortion, written threats to kill, and unlawful use of a two-way communication device.”

Among those allegedly targeted by Ray are Babylon Bee CEO Seth Dillon, right-wing independent journalist Laura Loomer, New York Post columnist Karol Markowicz, and Newsweek senior editor-at-large Josh Hammer.

Dillion, a pro-Israel Christian, reported that Ray allegedly accused him of conspiring with a foreign government to carry out the assassination of Turning Point USA founder and prominent conservative activist Charlie Kirk, WORLD News reported.

He shared a screenshot of an alleged message sent to him from Ray that stated, “We’re gonna get you I promise maybe not today or tomorrow but you’re living on borrowed time and you know it.”

Dillon said he reported the threat to authorities.

Loomer reported on X that Ray allegedly targeted her and Hammer, saying she was accused of being a foreign agent. According to a post on Ray’s alleged X account, the defendant said he would celebrate Loomer’s hanging. The same account threatened Markowicz with death.

"Over the last week, I have been in frequent communication with Law Enforcement in Florida at FDLE regarding CREDIBLE threats made against my life and the lives of several other Jewish and pro-Israel conservatives," Loomer wrote in a post on X. "I became one of Nicholas Ray's targets because he was radicalized by the false accusations that I am a foreign agent, and then he proceeded to make a serious and credible threat against my life."

Loomer concluded by thanking Uthmeier for "his strong leadership in addressing political violence, and the officers and detectives at FDLE who worked diligently to protect me and others."