SWANSEA — Federal authorities alerted Swansea Police to a social media post containing terrorist threats targeting Swansea Police Department officers, prompting an investigation that led to the arrest of a 28-year-old man and a felony charge, police said.
The FBI notified the Swansea Police Department about the threats, and the department’s Criminal Investigations Division began investigating and identified a suspect, according to information released by police. Detectives developed what police described as substantial evidence supporting felony charges and notified surrounding agencies, advising them to use caution if the suspect was located. On March 31, 2026, the Belleville Police Department located the suspect and took him into custody, police said.
On April 2, 2026, the case file was submitted to the St. Clair County State’s Attorney’s Office for review, and Michael L. Gilliam, 28, was formally charged with making a terrorist threat, a Class X felony, police said.
The Swansea Police Department said it appreciated the assistance and cooperation of the FBI, the Belleville Police Department, and the St. Clair County State’s Attorney’s Office during the investigation.
All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
