Massachusetts Man Charged Over Alleged Threat to FBI Director's Girlfriend

Alden Ruml accused of sending violent email to Alexis Wilkins, partner of FBI Director Kash Patel

Mar. 21, 2026 at 11:06pm

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A Massachusetts man named Alden Ruml has been charged in federal court for allegedly sending a threatening email to Alexis Wilkins, the girlfriend of FBI Director Kash Patel. The email, which originated from an anonymized account linked to Ruml's Apple ID, contained a violent threat referencing an assault rifle. Wilkins received the message while in Arizona and told investigators it frightened her and caused her to alter her travel plans.

Why it matters

This case highlights the growing concerns around threats made against government officials and their families, which have become more common in recent years. The FBI takes such threats very seriously and will aggressively investigate and prosecute individuals who engage in this type of behavior.

The details

Authorities said the threatening email was sent on or around February 28 from an anonymized email account linked to Ruml's Apple ID. During a search of Ruml's residence in Cambridge, FBI agents interviewed him, and he admitted to sending the email but denied intending to harm Wilkins. Prosecutors said the email crossed state lines, satisfying the interstate commerce requirement for the federal charge Ruml is facing.

  • On or around February 28, the threatening email was sent.
  • In November 2025, FBI Director Kash Patel said Wilkins had received hundreds of death threats due to her relationship with him, leading the FBI to assign her a security detail.

The players

Alden Ruml

A resident of Cambridge, Massachusetts, who has been charged in federal court for allegedly sending a threatening email to Alexis Wilkins, the girlfriend of FBI Director Kash Patel.

Alexis Wilkins

The girlfriend of FBI Director Kash Patel, who received a threatening email that frightened her and caused her to alter her travel plans.

Kash Patel

The current Director of the FBI, whose girlfriend Alexis Wilkins has received hundreds of death threats due to their relationship, leading the FBI to assign her a security detail.

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What they’re saying

“When any individual across any agency head and their respective spouse or partner has a threat to their life, we come in hard.”

— Kash Patel, FBI Director

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Alden Ruml out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights the growing concerns around threats made against government officials and their families, which have become more common in recent years. The FBI takes such threats very seriously and will aggressively investigate and prosecute individuals who engage in this type of behavior.