The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office arrested Danyele Callaway, a local resident in Riverview near Tampa, for making online threats to kill Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement alerted the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office on July 8, 2024 about threatening messages received on Governor Ron DeSantis’ website.
After allegedly penning a message that included dangerous statements and a plea for an immediate face-to-face meeting, authorities were contacted by an individual who identified themselves as Danyele Callaway, a 20-year-old. The staff expressed concern about the situation and notified law enforcement.
Deputies located Callaway utilizing investigative techniques. Callaway has a history of interacting with law enforcement, as she was previously arrested for reportedly assaulting public employees and being involved in domestic abuse.
In the past, Callaway has expressed strong anti-government and anti-law enforcement views and even made verbal threats against Republican Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.
On July 9th, detectives from the HCSO’s Behavioral Resource Unit conducted a mental health assessment at Callaway’s residence. Their goal was to determine whether her recent statements posed a threat or not. The assessment took place around 9:30 am.
After being questioned by deputies, Callaway admitted to making allegations on the internet and was subsequently arrested. She is currently facing prosecution for making a written or digital threat to kill or cause bodily harm.
The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office has a zero-tolerance policy towards threats, especially those made online with the intention of causing fear and harm. Any threats made against members of our community, including the governor, will not be tolerated. According to Chad Chronister, the Hillsborough County Sheriff, “threatening the safety of those who defend our democratic institutions is an attack on the core values of our community and justice system.” While everyone has the right to express their opinions, nobody has the right to endanger the lives of others. This case serves as a stark reminder that violent threats will not be accepted. We will continue to actively seek out and hold accountable anyone who attempts to disrupt the safety and peace of our community.