ORLANDO, Fla. (VINnews) — A 31-year-old Orlando man has been arrested after allegedly making threats against a newly established Charedi Jewish community in rural Florida, including posting photographs of a firearm alongside the location of the residential development, according to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE).
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The suspect, identified as Jerry Ray Sneed, 31, of Orlando, was arrested on Wednesday, October 28, following an investigation that began October 19, when FDLE agents in Fort Myers received information about threatening messages posted on social media targeting a Jewish community in Glades County.
According to investigators, Sneed posted photographs identifying the residential community’s location, along with pictures of a firearm and threatening statements.
The investigation quickly escalated, with FDLE agents obtaining an arrest warrant and coordinating with the Orange County Sheriff’s Office to take Sneed into custody in Orlando.
One particularly alarming detail emerged after his arrest: investigators said Sneed was still in possession of the same firearm he had displayed in his social media postings.
Sneed faces one count of making written or electronic threats to kill, cause bodily injury, carry out a mass shooting or commit an act of terrorism, as well as one count of unlawful use of a two-way communication device.
The State Attorney’s Office for Florida’s 20th Judicial Circuit is prosecuting the case. Authorities have not publicly released the exact wording of the alleged threats, and the investigation remains active.
A Growing Charedi Community in Rural Florida
The targeted community is Lakefront Estates, a developing Charedi Jewish community located near Buckhead Ridge and Lake Okeechobee in Glades County.
The development spans approximately 525 to 550 acres, with plans for approximately 1,300 residential units, including single-family homes and attached or multifamily residences.
The community is being built with the needs of Charedi families in mind, offering an opportunity for families seeking more affordable housing and a communal environment outside the increasingly expensive Jewish neighborhoods of New York and New Jersey.
Plans include synagogues, religious schools, a yeshiva, a kollel, kosher shopping, medical facilities and other services intended to support a growing Jewish population.
The development is also planning community infrastructure familiar to Charedi neighborhoods, including Hatzalah emergency medical services, Chaverim assistance and Shomrim neighborhood security services.
Families have already begun arriving from New York and Canada, and the community held its first communal prayer service in early October.
Community Has Faced Antisemitic Targeting
The arrest comes amid growing concerns over antisemitic targeting of the emerging Jewish community.
The development had previously been targeted by online personalities Jake Lang and Jeffrey Walstein, known online as “The Jersey Goy,” who visited the area and posted antisemitic material directed at Jewish residents.
The online harassment raised concerns among residents and community leadership as families continued moving into the development.
Lakefront Estates CEO Yidel Perlstein praised law enforcement for its response to the latest threat, saying authorities acted quickly rather than waiting for the situation to escalate.
The arrest has underscored the importance of protecting a growing Jewish community that is still establishing its institutions and welcoming new families.
Authorities Urge Public to Report Threats
The FDLE urged members of the public to report suspicious activity or potential threats.
Anyone with information can contact authorities by calling 855-FLA-SAFE, dialing 911 in an emergency or submitting information through the FDLE website.
The case remains under investigation.
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