Florida Residents Face Federal Charges for Making Threats on Social Media

In the modern era, one of the most common federal charges Florida residents face is making interstate threats. It is exceedingly easy to commit this offense when posting on social media, often without even realizing what you’re doing. Because social media connects the entire nation and involves electronic signals transmitted across the entire planet, threats posted online may fall under federal jurisdiction. If you face these charges, consider speaking with a federal crime defense attorney in Fort Myers.

Florida Woman Found Guilty of Making TikTok Threats After FBI Investigation 

In March of 2026, the Department of Justice for the Middle District of Florida announced that a federal jury had found a woman guilty of “interstate communication of a threat to injure.” The defendant now faces up to five years in federal prison, and her sentencing will occur in the next few months.

According to federal prosecutors, this woman’s crime involved a series of posts on TikTok. The defendant’s first problematic post came in August of 2025, when she suggested that her followers take advantage of their Second Amendment rights and open fire at Americans who identify with the MAGA movement. Prosecutors say that her use of the phrase “pew pew” while mimicking guns firing with her hands constituted an interstate threat.

The defendant also reportedly said that people of this political persuasion “deserve to be terrified and scared to walk in the streets,” noting that “real Americans” would “kill them.” Finally, she ended the post with a hashtag and noted she was trying to start a “new trend.” This hashtag included words that federal prosecutors interpreted as an interstate threat. The next day, she posted a second TikTok video, once again mimicking guns firing with her hands and repeating the words “See MAGA pew pew, see MAGA pew pew.”

The FBI subsequently became aware of this post and ostensibly took it very seriously. This incident shows how serious videos can be, even if you do not threaten a specific person but instead take a strong stance against a whole subset of the population.

Florida Man Sentenced to 28 Months in Prison for Threatening a Witness on Facebook

Also in March of 2026, the Department of Justice for the Middle District of Florida announced that a Florida man had been sentenced to over two years in prison for threatening to retaliate against a witness in a federal case.

According to prosecutors, the defendant became aware that his associate had been indicted for distributing methamphetamine. He then posted on Facebook, publicly identifying a witness in the case and referring to him as a “snitch.” In the post, he also threatened to harm the witness and offered payment for anyone who would provide him with a location.

Can a Fort Myers Criminal Defense Attorney Help Me?

If you face charges of transmitting interstate threats in Fort Myers, consider speaking with an attorney who has sufficient experience with federal crimes. The Foley & Wilson Law Firm has this level of experience, and you can discuss the next steps of your defense with our lawyers today. Contact us to schedule a consultation.

Sources: 

justice.gov/usao-mdfl/pr/jacksonville-man-sentenced-28-months-federal-prison-threatening-witness-facebook

justice.gov/usao-mdfl/pr/federal-jury-finds-sarasota-woman-guilty-making-threats-tiktok