Tampa dentist looking at 20-years in prison for threatening public figures, including an election official

A Florida dentist pleaded guilty yesterday to sending threats to three victims in 2019 and 2020, and to an election official in 2024, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.

From September 2019 to July 2020, Richard Glenn Kantwill, 61, of Tampa, sent over 100 threats to various public figures based on their political commentary via Facebook and Instagram messages, email, and text. Those threats included one sent via email to an author, another sent via text to a religious persona, and a threat sent via Instagram to a television personality. Kantwill also sent at least seven additional threats to four public figures via Facebook from April 2022 to April 2024, including a threat to an election official in another state on February 9.

“With this plea, the Justice Department is ensuring that Richard Kantwill faces accountability for targeting an election official and other public figures with over 100 heinous threats,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “In the three years since I created the Department’s Election Threats Task Force we have worked to aggressively combat the dangerous increase in violent threats against the public servants who administer our elections. Today’s action is yet another warning: the Justice Department will not stand for threats of violence that endanger people’s safety and endanger our democracy.”

The victims included an author, a religious persona, and a television personality, the DOJ said.  Some of the messages seemed to include racial slurs, which were redacted. ~ WFLA

Kantwill pleaded guilty to four counts of interstate transmission of a threat. He faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison for each count. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled at a later date.

The FBI is investigating the case.

To report suspected threats or violent acts, contact your local FBI office and request to speak with the Election Crimes Coordinator. Contact information for every FBI field office may be found at www.fbi.gov/contact-us/field-offices/. You may also contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (225-5324) or file an online complaint at www.tips.fbi.gov. Complaints submitted will be reviewed by the task force and referred for investigation or response accordingly. If someone is in imminent danger or risk of harm, contact 911 or your local police immediately.

For more on the story, see the video below.

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(Source:  Department of Justice)
(Cover photo, Richard Glenn Kantwill, mugshot, Image credit: Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office)

Posted by Richard Webster, Ace News Today
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