Cape Coral man accused of bomb threat on Rep. Donalds’ office
Investigators say he threatened to 'blow up' Congressman Donalds' office and shoot police
A Cape Coral man was arrested after local law enforcement officials say he threatened to “blow up” Congressman Byron Donalds’ office, as well as shoot police officers.
Daniel Eberly, 43, has been charged with a bomb threat – false report of weapon of mass destruction, as well as crimes against person — corrupt by threat of public servant or family.
In a press conference Tuesday at noon, Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno said on June 1, intelligence detectives received information about a Cape Coral man making “concerning” calls to Donalds’ office.
Marceno said, the caller, identified as by law enforcement as Eberly, threatened to “blow up headquarters and shoot every cop.”
“Eberly was erratic on the telephone, and his statements raised immediate concerns, not only for the safety of Congressman Donalds and his staff, but also for the safety of our deputies and the public at large,” Marceno said. “The moment this threat was reported, our detectives got to work.”
Marceno said LCSO detectives “immediately” made contact with Eberly at his home in northeast Cape Coral and took him into custody.
“The Lee County Sheriff’s Office takes every threat seriously,” Marceno said, adding he will work with State Attorney Amira Fox to prosecute this crime and those like it to the fullest extent.
Marceno said Eberly has a history of making threats, including a threat against an officer in 2023, arson, burglary, drug possession, trespassing, and dozens of arrests.
This is the second threat against Donalds, who is running for Florida governor in a Republican primary, in the last week. Donalds, a Naples Republican, represents most of Lee County and Collier County in Congress. He has served in the seat since being elected in 2020.
It was reported a Port Charlotte man responded to a May 26 post on “X” made by President Donald Trump endorsing Donalds for governor with a threat to kill.
The man was identified at Dominic Ambrosia, 30. He was arrested on May 27.
Eberly is still in custody at Lee County Jail as of Tuesday afternoon, and is being held on a $400,000 bond.