Tampa Man Made Violent Racially Motivated Online Threats: Sheriff

TAMPA, FL — A Tampa man was arrested for making violent online threats against various groups, according to a Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office news release.

Deputies responded to a tip from the FBI National Threat Operation Section on Feb. 28 about someone on YouTube commenting and posting racially motivated threats of violence toward Black people, immigrants, law enforcement and federal agents, the sheriff’s office said.

The comments included, “Kill all immigrants,” and “It’s war time. Send those monkeys to hell,” the agency said.

Detectives learned that William Bender III, 28, was behind the account posting the threats.

He admitted to investigators that he “made racially motivated threats to elicit angry comments back,” HCSO said.

Bender was arrested and charged with one count of written or electronic threat to conduct a mass shooting or act of terrorism.

"We will not tolerate comments made to intimidate, threaten, or cause fear within our community," Sheriff Chad Chronister said. "If you think you can hide behind a keyboard in Hillsborough County, think again. We are committed to investigating and holding individuals accountable for making online threats."