TAMPA, Fla. (WWSB) – A St. Petersburg man is charged with threatening MacDill Air Force Base by phone days after a suspicious package shut down part of the base.
Jonathan James Elder is charged with making a threat by means of fire or an explosive, according to a federal criminal complaint filed March 20 in the Middle District of Florida.
The FBI said the alleged threat came March 18, two days after law enforcement found a suspicious package outside the Visitor Control Center at MacDill. Court records say that earlier incident closed nearby roadways, blocked access to public businesses and shut down the base’s main entrance for about seven hours.
Investigators said someone called MacDill’s main number around 9:11 a.m. March 18, which was routed to the 6th Medical Group. The caller allegedly said, “How did you like the surprise at the MacDill Visitor Center?” and then yelled, “tick tick boom, it’s gonna be between your eyes.”
MacDill closed all gates after the call, according to the affidavit. On-base personnel were told to shelter in place for about four hours.
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Federal agents said they linked the phone number to Elder through T-Mobile call records, cell-site data, Meta account records and a St. Petersburg address associated with an assisted-living facility. The affidavit says investigators identified a Facebook account using the name “Jon Elder” and connected it to the same phone number and address.
Investigators went to the facility March 18. Records say Elder at first refused to speak with law enforcement. After several minutes, officers persuaded him to come out of his room and took him into custody.
Elder waived his Miranda rights and admitted he was the voice on a threatening voicemail left for another person earlier that day, according to the affidavit. Investigators said he admitted calling MacDill and asking whether they “enjoyed the pipe bomb at the front gate at MacDill,” before saying, “head on, apply directly to the forehead.”
Elder told investigators he had no grievance with MacDill, according to the affidavit. He also denied making or researching weapons.
Pinellas County mental health assessment staff later evaluated Elder and determined he met the criteria for involuntary examination under the Baker Act, according to the filing. He was then taken to a mental health provider.
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