Federal Grand Jury Indicts Sarasota Man Over Instagram Threat Videos
Federal prosecutors announced a federal grand jury indictment against a Sarasota man who allegedly posted videos on Instagram threatening to hunt and kill Jewish people while displaying military-style gear. Duncan Fraser MacDonald, 45, faces a charge of transmitting threats to injure another person through interstate or foreign communications, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida. 10 Tampa Bay News reported the initial arrest of MacDonald in September, which followed an investigation by the FBI’s Jacksonville Joint Terrorism Task Force, the Clay County Sheriff’s Office, and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
Weapons Displayed in Social Media Posts Flagged by Community Member
The criminal complaint and related federal indictment state that MacDonald uploaded the threatening clips between September 16 and 17. An FBI affidavit details four separate videos totaling approximately one minute and 25 seconds of footage. In the recordings, MacDonald allegedly vowed to “hunt” Jewish people and “take them out because the Austrian painter was correct,” which investigators identified as a reference to Adolf Hitler, as reported by 10 Tampa Bay News. The video frames also displayed a flamethrower, a rifle, loaded magazines, ammunition, and a tactical vest.
Authorities initiated the case on September 17 after a community member familiar with MacDonald reported the online threats to the Jewish Federation & Foundation of Northeast Florida. Investigators subsequently used data from Meta, T-Mobile, and Florida driver’s license databases to trace the digital footprint. State records tied MacDonald to a Sarasota address, while cell phone subscriber information connected him to Clay County.
Arizona Arrest Leads to Florida Court Appearance and Federal Prosecution
MacDonald was arrested in Arizona on September 18 on a federal warrant. He subsequently made his first appearance in federal court in Jacksonville on October 16, according to prosecutors. U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announced the formal indictment, and Assistant U.S. Attorney David B. Mesrobian is prosecuting the case.
An indictment serves merely as a formal accusation rather than a finding of guilt, and MacDonald remains presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
MacDonald Faces Five Years in Federal Prison
If convicted on the federal charge of transmitting threats through interstate or foreign commerce, MacDonald faces a maximum statutory sentence of five years in federal prison.
Sarasota Man Indicted for Transmitting Threat to “Hunt” Jewish PeopleRead more about the #FBI Jacksonville, Clay County Sheriff’s Office and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement investigation here: https://t.co/ToCmy4ohor pic.twitter.com/zp4SQ5YWkX
Frequently Asked Questions About the MacDonald Federal Case
What specific charges did the federal grand jury return against Duncan Fraser MacDonald?
The grand jury indicted MacDonald on a charge of transmitting threats to injure another person through interstate or foreign communications, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida.
How did federal investigators track down and apprehend the suspect?
The FBI’s Jacksonville Joint Terrorism Task Force used digital records from Meta and T-Mobile alongside Florida driver’s license files to identify MacDonald before arresting him in Arizona on September 18.
What maximum prison sentence does MacDonald face if convicted?
If convicted of the federal charge, MacDonald faces a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison, according to federal prosecutors.
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