Punta Gorda Man Arrested for Threatening Senators and Local Nonprofit
Authorities have arrested Charles Bentley, a Punta Gorda man, for allegedly sending over 30 threatening emails to Senators Marco Rubio and Rick Scott, as well as a local police officer.
Before these threats, Bentley reportedly inundated employees of the Jewish Family and Children Service (JFCS), a nonprofit organization in Port Charlotte, with over 100 emails daily. The threats allegedly included graphic descriptions of violence, such as cremation, shooting, and ramming his truck into their office.
These alarming messages led to the temporary closure of the JFCS Center to protect staff and visitors. According to the arrest warrant, Bentley extended his threats to a Punta Gorda police officer and the two U.S. senators. He even threatened to ram his truck through congressional offices 777 times and demanded $500 million.
Kristen Ziman, a safety and security expert with WINK News, highlighted the seriousness of such threats in today’s digital age.
“This case really highlights the growing concern over threats made through digital platforms where we can almost foreshadow what’s to come,” Ziman explained. “We see that there is what we call leakage in any kind of act of violence where these individuals will post it somewhere, and in this case, he made overt threats. These have far-reaching impacts on public safety and mental health and trust in community institutions.”
Bentley is currently held without bond in the Charlotte County Jail. The U.S. Capitol Police and Senator Rick Scott’s office are pursuing charges in connection with the threats directed at the senators.
This case underscores the ongoing challenges posed by digital threats and their impact on individuals and institutions tasked with public safety.
