New details have emerged following a 72-year-old Cape Coral man accused of making death threats towards the Department of Homeland Security.
According to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Joseph Rocco Giancola Jr. allegedly made threats such as “Shoot the ICE Nazis dead” and “Get your gun and shoot them dead” on his Bluesky account under the pseudonym “Cain Delon”.
On Thursday, Giancola was arrested by Homeland Security at his daughter’s home located on Chiquita Boulevard.
HSI Tampa acting Special Agent in Charge Michael Cochran said Giancola’s statements on Bluesky included violent rhetoric against ICE officials, comparing them to Nazis and threatening to shoot them.
“Freedom of speech carries a responsibility to exercise it in a manner that respects the safety and rights of others,” said Cochran.
WINK News spoke with Giancola’s daughter, Anna, who said her family was terrified when Homeland Security arrived at the home and searched through her belongings.
“I had heard ‘get on the floor,’ and I tried to go around the window, because I didn’t know if I was gonna get shot,” said Anna Giancola. “I had no clue if I was gonna get shot because there are lasers on me.”
Nicholas Karsen is a Digital Specialist and has been with WINK News since May 2023.