Andrew Sandvik appears in federal court a day after his arrest

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) — Andrew Sandvik appeared in federal court today on charges of influencing a federal official by threat, with a possible maximum sentence of up to ten years.

The complaint alleges that Sandvik made several online social media posts that contain threats towards President Trump and the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Secret Service. 

Several posts referenced came from posts made on September 17th. Two of the posts call on the Secret Service, FBI, CIA, and KGB to find him in Fargo. While another called out FBI Director, Kash Patel, asking why he was incapable of finding him. 

FBI Minneapolis Special Agent in Charge, Alvin M. Winston Sr., commented on the charges, stating, “Death threats and violent, inflammatory rhetoric have no place in our society. Threats against Federal Officials, whether they are made online or in person, will result in a swift response by the FBI.”

According to documents, Fargo police were made aware of Sandvik and his posts on August 1st. On September 15, a witness had notified Fargo police of bottles containing an unknown liquid that could be a bomb. Detectives Ryan Jasper and Logan Kahl went to the residence where his mother resided and discovered cinder blocks in bottles with labels reading ‘danger.’ No wires were detected on the bottles. Detective Kahl spoke with Sandvik two days later at the Fargo Police Headquarters. 

FBI officials began investigating the social media posts in early September. 

Sandvik was taken into custody on Thursday from a south Fargo residence. 

Sandvik will remain in custody and appear in court once again on Thursday.