TAMPA, Fla. — A Tampa dentist pleaded guilty to sending more than 100 threats to public figures between 2019 and 2024, including an election official.
Richard Kantwill, 61, sent the threats to various public figures "based on their political commentary via Facebook and Instagram messages, email and text," the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Florida stated in a news release.
Court documents say Kantwill sent the threats over two different periods; Sept. 2019 to July 2020 and April 2022 to April 2024.
The threat towards the election official in another state was reportedly made on Feb. 9.
The 61-year-old pleaded guilty to four counts of interstate transmission of a threat and faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison for each count, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office. Officials said his sentencing hearing will be scheduled at a later date.
FBI Director Christopher Wray said Kantwill's plea is the next step in holding him accountable for "his almost year-long campaign of terror."
“Make no mistake, using electronic communications to threaten victims with violence is illegal and the FBI will continue to pursue those who seek to cause fear and terror by sending such violent threats," Wray stated in the release.
Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri added that the Justice Department "has zero tolerance for conduct that seeks to intimidate public servants from doing their jobs."
The FBI is continuing to investigate the case, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.