Richard Glenn Kantwill, a 61-year-old dentist from Tampa, pleaded guilty to sending over 100 violent threats to public figures and an election official between 2019 and 2024. The threats, delivered via social media, email, and text messages, targeted more than 40 individuals, according to court documents.
Kantwill admitted to sending threats to public figures including authors, religious leaders, television personalities, and an election official in another state. Notably, one threat was sent to an election official on Feb. 9, 2024, as part of a broader pattern of harassment.
Attorney General Merrick B. Garland emphasized the significance of the case in addressing threats against public servants.
“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,” Garland said. “The Justice Department will not stand for threats of violence that endanger people’s safety and democracy.”
FBI Director Christopher Wray highlighted the severity of Kantwill’s actions. “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 through such threats.”
Nicole M. Argentieri, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General, praised the efforts of the Election Threats Task Force, saying, “The Justice Department has zero tolerance for conduct that seeks to intimidate public servants from doing their jobs.”
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Kantwill pleaded guilty to four counts of interstate transmission of a threat. Each count carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled later, with the final sentence determined by a federal district court judge based on U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.
The threats began in September 2019 and continued until July 2020, targeting individuals based on their political commentary. From April 2022 to April 2024, Kantwill sent additional threats to four public figures, including the election official. The threats were sent via Facebook, Instagram, text, and email, exploiting digital platforms to intimidate and harass.
Kantwill’s conduct was flagged by the Justice Department’s Election Threats Task Force, launched in 2021 to address threats against election workers and public figures.
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The task force, led by the Department of Justice, investigates and prosecutes threats against election workers to ensure their safety and the integrity of the democratic process. The task force collaborates with the FBI, state and local law enforcement, and interagency partners like the Department of Homeland Security.
The FBI investigated the case, and Trial Attorney Aaron L. Jennen of the Department of Justice’s Public Integrity Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Abigail K. King for the Middle District of Florida are prosecuting.
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