George Isbell Jr., 69, of San Diego, Indicted for Mailing Death Threats to Conservative Commentator Benny Johnson Days After Charlie Kirk’s Assassination

A 69-year-old San Diego man, George Russell Isbell Jr., has been indicted on federal charges for allegedly sending violent and threatening letters to Benny Johnson, a conservative commentator and close associate of slain activist Charlie Kirk, just days after Kirk’s assassination during a university event in Utah.

According to an October court filing titled “California Man Charged Federally for Mailing Threat to Injure and Kill,” Isbell mailed a typewritten threat to Johnson’s Tampa, Florida, residence eight days after Kirk’s murder. The letter accused Johnson of spreading hate and division among conservatives and warned that there would be consequences.

Court documents reveal that Johnson’s wife discovered the letter — postmarked from Carmel Mountain, California, on September 18 — and contacted local authorities. The letter described Johnson as a “prostrating Trump boot licker” who “needed to be exterminated,” and went on to express hope that someone would “blow [his] head off.”

George Isbell jr. 69 year old San Diego man indicted sending threatening letters to Benny Johnson, Tampa, Florida conservative commentator.

George Isbell Jr., 69, of San Diego, Indicted for Mailing Death Threats to Conservative Commentator Benny Johnson Days After Charlie Kirk’s Assassination

Investigators traced fingerprints on the letter to Isbell, who was arrested near a Logan Heights Costco in San Diego on October 7. During questioning, Isbell reportedly admitted to writing the threatening letter — along with “several” others — though he could not recall all of the recipients.

Authorities also seized a .357 handgun from Isbell’s home in City Heights. The indictment notes that he was previously investigated in 2021 for sending a threatening message to a Louisiana state representative, calling the official a “terrorist cop killer.” Prosecutors were uncertain whether that earlier communication met the legal standard for a chargeable threat.

At a Friday press conference, U.S. Attorney Pam Bondi — appearing alongside Johnson — confirmed the recipient’s identity and denounced the escalation of politically motivated violence, stating, “Violence has been mainstreamed by the Democrat Party.”

Isbell faces federal charges of mailing threats to injure or kill.

George R. Isbell Jr, degenerate leftist, owns "Adult" businesses in the San Diego area. pic.twitter.com/rndmhCNfNR

— Publius (@OcrazioCornPop) October 10, 2025