A motion has been brought forward to keep defendant Alexia N. Willie, also known as Jason Lee Willie, in jail pending trial in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois. The motion is based on disturbing behavior exhibited by Willie, including making numerous violent threats online.
In a recorded interview at the Sheriff’s office, a man named Kennedy, who resides with WILLIE, reported that he had previously called the FBI about threats made by WILLIE. Kennedy stated that the FBI had visited their residence multiple times due to WILLIE’s online conduct. He revealed that Willie uses the internet to target preachers, republicans, and black individuals, making heinous threats related to sexual abuse of children. Kennedy expressed concern about WILLIE’s mental health and disclosed that WILLIE frequents various websites, including MeetMe, where he consistently engages in aggressive and threatening behavior.
The FBI had received reports of threats on Facebook and Twitch in 2018 and 2019, respectively, where WILLIE claimed to have killed a preacher and made threats to kill people using bombs. During interactions with the FBI, WILLIE claimed to not be serious about the threats and denied possessing firearms.
On March 28, 2023, following the Covenant School shooting in Nashville, Tennessee, it was reported that WILLIE posted on Facebook threatening further attacks on Christians by transgender individuals. This incident was particularly concerning as it followed a tragic school shooting involving a transgender former student.
The indictment presented fourteen video threats made by WILLIE, including explicit and violent statements directed at various individuals, including African Americans and members of the LGBTQ+ community. These threats involved mentions of sexual assault, murder, and targeted attacks on children and churches.
Given the deeply troubling and violent nature of these threats, the motion to keep defendant Alexia N. Willie in jail pending trial is fully warranted. The continued incarceration of WILLIE is necessary to protect the public from the potential harm posed by his threatening behavior.