Florida man charged over threats to MacDill Air Force Base

Cityscope, Crime Diary

INTERNATIONAL (NPA) — 26 March 2026 — The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida has announced the arrest of Jonathan James Elder, 35, of St. Petersburg, charged by criminal complaint with using the telephone to threaten to kill, injure, intimidate, or damage property. If convicted, Elder faces up to 10 years in federal prison.

According to prosecutors, Elder called MacDill Air Force Base on 18 March 2026 following the discovery of a suspicious package at the base’s Visitor Control Center earlier that week. During the call, he allegedly said: “How did you like the surprise at the MacDill Visitor Center?” before shouting “tick tick boom, it’s gonna be between your eyes” and hanging up. The threat forced MacDill to close its gates and required personnel to shelter in place for about four hours.

Investigators later learned Elder had made another call to a separate number not linked to MacDill, in which he referenced pipe bombs and issued violent threats. Agents subsequently located him in St. Petersburg and arrested him. He remains in federal custody.

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Authorities emphasised that a criminal complaint is only a formal charge, and Elder is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

The investigation is being conducted by the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force in Tampa, with support from the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office, and the St. Petersburg Police Department. The case will be prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael J. Buchanan.