Glen St. Mary (WTFF) – A Florida man who allegedly wrote threatening messages on Facebook was arrested and had his stockpile of weapons seized.
Brandon Yancey reportedly wrote Facebook messages to the complainant who contacted the Baker County Sheriff’s Office on Saturday. According to the the arrest affidavit, screenshots were captured of Yancey saying:
“Thinking about doing something. Do not know if I should. Recent events say go for it.”
In that same conversation, he also posted pictures of himself “posing with different firearms.”
Yancey was recently terminated by his employer for documented sexual harassment, which he “did not want to talk about” when police questioned him.
He denied specifically threatening anyone.
He lives with his parents, who did not consent to police entering the residence. They came back with a search warrant and recovered numerous firearms and items including an AR-15 with bump stock installed, several handguns, a Tristar 12 gauge shotgun, a Taurus revolver, an AK-47, a Remington 30-06 rifle, a black skull mask, gloves, and more.
Extended capacity magazines such as a 90 round UNK drum magazine were also seized and are being stored as evidence.
Yancey was transported to the Baker County Detention Center.
He’s been charged with FS 836.10 due to him being the author of written communications to do harm via electronic communication.
Comments are pouring in expressing both criticism and praise for the actions taken by the police. Some are questioning the constitutionality of the detainment, while others are just happy they stopped a potential mass shooting. Critics quote the 2nd, 4th, and 14th Amendments. Proponents agree there was reasonable suspicion, and that people like this should not have access to guns.
Source: @BakerCoSO Facebook post
Original post text:
On 03/24/2018 the Baker County Sheriff’s Office was made aware of a situation where a male subject was making threats via social media and was picturing himself posing with various weapons. The weapons ranged from handguns to shotguns, and assault style rifles. The recipient of the messages from Brandon Yancey provided screen shots of the conversation where Brandon stated, “Thinking about doing something. Do not know if I should. Recent events say go for it”. The various pictures of Yancey posing with different firearms in the same conversation were provided along with the above statement. The Sheriff’s Office learned that Yancey had recently been terminated by his employer for documented sexual harassment. It was believed that Yancey was distraught over being terminated and was possibly seeking retaliation.
On March 24, 2018 at 1:39pm the Baker County Sheriff’s Office made contact with Yancey and other family members at his residence. Detectives began to speak with Yancey about the threats and recent images posted on his Facebook page. Yancey would confirm that he had posted pictures of him displaying the firearms while in conversation on social media, however, denied he specifically threatened anyone. Yancey also admitted to the recent event of being terminated from employment. The conversation went on with Yancey describing a multitude of firearms that were his and were inside of the residence, which he shares with his parents. At this time, consent to enter the residence was requested from both Yancey and his parents which was denied.
A search warrant was prepared and executed on the residence of Brandon Yancey. Upon completion of the search warrant, numerous firearms were recovered. The firearms and items taken from the residence and inside the bedroom of Yancey included, but was not limited to, several assault style rifles, handguns, an AK-47 assault rifle, a black skull mask, gloves, and clothing; all which were observed by Yancey in pictures he posted to social media. Other notable firearms and accessories such as stocks from rifles and extended capacity magazines were also seized from the residence. Yancey was transported to the Baker County Detention Center.
