IRONWOOD — Justin P. Ward, 33, of Ironwood in Gogebic County has been federally charged with using interstate commerce to transmit threats to injure another person.

According to the United States Attorney’s Office Western District of Wisconsin, the indictment alleges that on Jan. 29, Ward posted on Facebook threats to kill ICE agents. A federal grand jury in the Western District of Wisconsin, sitting in Madison, returned the indictment on Feb. 18.

If convicted, Ward faces a maximum penalty of 5 years in federal prison. The charge against him is the result of an investigation by the FBI, Minnesota State Patrol, Saint Paul Police Department and the Gogebic County Sheriff’s Office.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Altman is currently handling the case.

Annie Lippert can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 550. Her email address is alippert@miningjournal.net.