WINTER HAVEN, FLORIDA — Deputies arrested a man who took to Facebook and threatened to kill members of Congress and their families if SCOTUS nominee Brett Kavanaugh isn’t confirmed.
On Thursday, 53-year-old James Patrick was arrested by Polk County sheriffs after they were tipped off about the threats.
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said that an email tip about the posts was followed by the arrest about 5 hours later.
“People need to calm down, and stop making threats of violence – we will not tolerate it,” Sheriff Judd said, according to ABC Action News. “Anyone who threatens to shoot or kill any public servant or law enforcement officer will go to jail immediately.”
In one Facebook post that included an image of a bullet, Patrick also threatened to kill law enforcement.
Other posts showed photos of guns and ammunition. When a search warrant was served on his home, a 308 hunting rifle with scope and a 50 caliber Desert Eagle handgun were found.
“When we went to arrest him, he goes, Oh I knew it was pretty bad language, but I didn’t think I would get in trouble because I didn’t say it about any one person. News flash, you did get in trouble,” said Sheriff Judd.
In one post, Patrick said he was selling his belongings in preparation for carrying out his plan.
“I have come up with a new plan .. an idea hatched by one of the people that have joined me Because We Love Our Country More Than Our Lives!!!” he wrote in a post from September 18. “The democrats in office .. if Kav is not confirmed.. that are responsible And liberal talk show hosts .. we will be targeting their families ..I am in the process of selling my home and looking for a buyer for my 68 vette .. liberals must learn their actions will lead to their families being targeted.”
“I am about to accept an offer on my house. Just to get more money to fund my plan to kill democrat office holders and their families involved in this sham to keep kav from being on the Supreme Court,” he wrote in a post 3 days later. In the comments, he added, “God will reward me when I get to heaven.”
In a photo posted on September 26, he shared a photo of George Soros with an unidentified woman, claiming it was an old picture of Soros and Kavanaugh accuser Christine Blasey Ford.
According to ABC Action News, Patrick was charged with threatening to kill or injure. His bail has been set at $500,000.
Featured image via screen grab/ABC Action News
