Florida Woman Arrested for Saying Three Words to Insurance Representative
The assassination of a major insurance CEO has highlighted underlying tensions across the nation. It has also sparked a considerable response from law enforcement agencies, who now take threats against insurance representatives much more seriously. After an incident like this, authorities generally become concerned about “copycat” attacks, and this could lead to a stronger response than many expect. Today, even a few wrong words could lead to an arrest – and this is something a defendant in Florida recently learned. If you face criminal charges for threatening insurance representatives, you should speak with an experienced defense lawyer in Fort Myers.
Woman Arrested for Saying “Delay, Deny, Depose” to Insurance Rep
In December of 2024, News Channel 8 reported that a Florida woman had been placed under house arrest for uttering three seemingly innocent words to an insurance representative: “Delay, deny, depose.” She then stated “You people are next” before hanging up the phone. The insurance company seems to have reported the incident to the FBI, who subsequently contacted Florida law enforcement. The woman was then arrested at her home and taken into custody.
Some might be unfamiliar with the significance of the words uttered by the defendant. According to numerous reports, the assassin who killed the insurance CEO wrote similar words on the ammunition for his pistol. Some of these cartridges or shell casings were recovered at the scene of the murder – a detail that made international headlines. In the weeks since, those three words have become something of a rallying cry for those who oppose the insurance industry in the United States.
According to some reports, the woman freely admitted that she had said these words during her telephone conversation. It is clear that the FBI and local Florida authorities are now interpreting these words as a legitimate, criminal threat.
The woman’s defense attorney pointed out that she does not own any firearms, and she lacked the capacity to actually carry out any threat against an insurance representative. However, capacity is not a necessary element for a criminal threat conviction in Florida.
Prosecutors simply need to show that you intended to threaten someone, that communicated this threat, and that it caused the victim to fear harm.
Speaking about the arrest, a law enforcement representative stated:
“She’s been in this world long enough that she certainly should know better that you can’t make threats like that in the current environment that we live in and think that we’re not going to follow up and put you in jail.”
Can a Fort Myers Defense Attorney Help With Criminal Threat Charges?
A Fort Myers defense attorney may be able to help if you have been charged with making criminal threats. The recent incident in Florida has shown that even a few words uttered during a phone call with an insurance representative can have dire consequences. However, these charges often stem from simple misunderstandings – and you should not face excessive penalties for an alleged threat you never intended to make. To learn more about potential defense strategies, contact The Foley & Wilson Law Firm today.
Sources:
b1039.com/2024/12/12/florida-mom-arrested-after-insurance-call/
wfla.com/news/polk-county/lakeland-woman-threatens-insurance-company-says-delay-deny-depose-police/