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Three Black University of South Alabama students facing federal charges over social media posts about President Donald Trump have been released from custody as questions emerge over whether the posts amounted to criminal threats.
Amare Jemal Woods, Cameron Lamark Lewis and Kayla Leaann Smith were arrested Friday (October 2), hours before Trump held a rally at the university’s Mitchell Center.
The FBI’s Mobile Field Office said the three were arrested for allegedly making “threatening communications” directed toward the president.
The FBI said its investigation involved reviewing social media posts made before Trump’s visit.
According to the federal complaint against Woods, who FOX 10 reported has no criminal history, is an 18-year-old aerospace engineering student, commented “he gotta die bro” with a crying emoji on a September 27 TikTok post about Trump’s planned visit.
Federal investigators allege Lewis made two posts on X on September 26. In one, prosecutors said Lewis wrote that people would remember the University of South Alabama the same way they remember Utah Valley University, a reference to the 2025 killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University.
In a second post, investigators said Lewis referenced the ambush killing of Chicago rapper Mikquale Cooper, known as Bloodhound Q50, while appearing to reference Trump.
The federal complaint against Smith says she responded to a September 29 TikTok about Trump’s visit by writing, “We only got one chance; let’s take it,” and posting an image of someone mimicking holding a firearm, according to FOX10.
All three students waived preliminary hearings Monday (October 5).
Prosecutors withdrew their requests to keep them detained, and a federal judge ordered the students released with conditions that prohibit them from using social media, possessing weapons, or contacting one another.
The cases are expected to be presented to a federal grand jury within 30 days, with Woods’ attorney saying he expects the grand jury to meet toward the end of October.
Woods’ attorney, Jason Darley, questioned whether his client’s comment constituted a criminal threat, saying, “If this kid is a threat, then everybody pecking on a keyboard is a threat.”
Darley said the First Amendment could offer a defense, arguing, “The statute as it’s written is so broad. It doesn’t require that the person have any capability of carrying it out.”
The arrests came as Trump’s appearance on campus drew protests from some South Alabama students.
WKRG reported that Elijah Splitt said the rally “doesn’t represent us,” while Madison Rolader said she was “honestly disgusted” by the university’s decision to host Trump.
“I think you should use your First Amendment right,” Jaylin Jackson said. “You should speak and stand out against things that you don’t agree with.”
After the students were released Monday (October 5), a large group gathered outside the federal courthouse in their support, according to FOX10.
One protester held a sign reading, “Pardon for January 6th, but not for a post.”
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