A 39-year-old Edgewater man is behind bars without bond after authorities say he unleashed a torrent of graphic death threats against Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and the head of the U.S. Secret Service, allegedly claiming a secret state law was created specifically to “eliminate” him.
Daniel Joseph Cook was arrested Monday by the Volusia Sheriff’s Office and faces multiple felonies, including written threats to kill and threatening an elected official.
According to a probable cause affidavit, the investigation began in November when the New York Attorney General’s Office flagged a disturbing post on X for the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE). Investigators say the user, operating under the handle @D13Xiii, directly targeted the governor.
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“Hey prick @GovRonDeSantis. You are both a bozo and a Bonzo… I will kill you,” the post reportedly read. “Don’t worry, you will die, pig.”
Detectives didn’t have to look far to identify their suspect. According to court documents, Cook apparently doxxed himself months prior. In July, the account allegedly posted a clear photo of Cook’s New York birth certificate. Another post in August featured a selfie captioned simply, “Me.”
When authorities dug into the account’s history, they found a bizarre motive. Cook allegedly posted a video in April claiming DeSantis had signed a bill into law targeting anyone named “Daniel Joseph Cook” for arrest or execution.
“You f— my reputation, while simultaneously being a prick in such ways as to make a targeted law with my name on it,” Cook reportedly wrote.
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While FDLE agents investigated the initial threats, Cook allegedly turned his attention to federal law enforcement. On New Year’s Eve, the Texas Department of Public Safety alerted Florida officials to a new threat targeting Sean Curran, the Director of the U.S. Secret Service.
“I’ll kill you. Mark my words… F— you die,” the post read.
Deputies tracked Cook to his home on Lewis Street in Edgewater, where he lives with his parents. During an interview, Cook admitted to authoring the posts, citing frustration over feeling marginalized and believing he was being persecuted, according to the affidavit. He reportedly told detectives he is unemployed and had previously broken his leg while incarcerated in 2021.
Cook is currently held in the Volusia County Jail. He is charged with two counts of written threats to kill, threatening an elected official with death or serious bodily harm, and unlawful use of a two-way communication device.
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