A woman from Pearl City has been implicated in federal criminal charges following allegations of posting over 200 social media threats to assassinate the President of the United States. These threats were purportedly made by Rebecca Ann Folley, also known as “Becca Waters,” as a method to draw attention to her claims of being a human trafficking victim. On April 2, Folley was charged with a federal criminal complaint involving one count of making threats against the President and successors to the presidency, as well as one count of making illegal interstate communications.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Rom A. Trader recently granted a motion by the U.S. Department of Justice to detain Folley without bail at the Federal Detention Center in Honolulu. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for May 16 before U.S. Magistrate Judge Wes Reber Porter. Folley has a prior felony conviction from Texas in 1998 for injuring a child, along with a 2021 misdemeanor assault charge in Hawaii.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Darren W.K. Ching. Attempts to reach attorneys from the Federal Public Defender’s office representing Folley went unanswered. Folley reportedly informed U.S. Secret Service agents that her actions were a “cry for help” after feeling her reports of being trafficked were not being addressed. She allegedly researched “presidential threats act 2020” and specific “trigger words” in an effort to gain attention, claiming that officials in Hawaii were covering up human trafficking.
Following the discovery of threats made against President Donald Trump via a Facebook profile named “BeccaWaters,” Secret Service agents visited Folley’s Pearl City residence on December 18. She allegedly admitted to being on medication and receiving mental health treatment, acknowledging the agents’ presence as the response to her online postings. Despite being advised to cease making threats, Folley reportedly continued her activity.
Further communication included emails to the FBI’s National Threat Operation Center and the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s office, where she stated her threats were posted on the social media platforms of Hawaiian elected officials. On a livestream comment section of the official POTUS Facebook account, she allegedly posted further threats involving Joe Biden and the current President. Screen grabs and URL links to these threats have been included in a 27-page criminal complaint.
On March 26, the same Secret Service agents revisited Folley, who admitted to continuing her postings despite prior warnings. She expressed an understanding of committing a federal crime but declared her intent to cease such actions, emphasizing the use of words solely as a motivational tool.
Understanding the Impact
The case involving Rebecca Ann Folley underlines significant societal concerns related to mental health and the responses to claims of human trafficking. For citizens, this may highlight the necessity for robust support systems and responsive law enforcement mechanisms when addressing such sensitive issues. The allegations suggest potential gaps in support for trafficking victims, which could lead to extreme measures by those feeling unheard or neglected.
Moreover, the incident might raise awareness about the consequences of social media misuse and the importance of understanding federal laws concerning threats against public figures. It serves as a reminder of the legal implications of online actions and the critical need for effective communication with authorities when dealing with crises. This case could potentially influence policies surrounding mental health support and human trafficking awareness, calling for a more comprehensive approach to prevent similar situations in the future.