On Thursday, May 2, 2019, at approximately 10:30pm, 28 year old, Juan Jesus Madrid was arrested on charges of Written Threats to Kill or do Bodily Injury.

Madrid had posted a Meme with what appeared to be three young girls making fun of a young man who looked dejected with the caption “You won’t be laughing when then chopper rounds spraying thru the halls”. The 28 year old admitted he “did it to try to be funny”.

Hendry County Sheriff Steve Whidden found the post on FB and instantly took action. “This is something that is very concerning because for some reason people are not grasping the concept that what they are doing is not a joke”, said Hendry County Sheriff Steve Whidden. “In fact, it’s a crime”, he continued.

Florida law makes it a felony to post social media threats to schools. “It stops being funny fast when you get locked up, pay a fine and have a felony arrest charge”, Whidden said.

“I would seriously encourage parents to speak with their children about these kinds of threats and the serious consequences resulting”, said Whidden.

Hendry County Sheriff’s Office Communication and Road Patrol along with Investigators immediately began a search through records and were able to identify the poster along with an address – and him!

While attempting to locate Madrid they came up on him leaving a residence on Avalon. Deputies noted that the tag on the back of the vehicle being driven was expired and stopped him. After verifying that Madrid was in fact the driver he was detained until Investigators arrived on scene.

He was questioned and later booked into the Hendry County Jail on charges of Written Threats to Kill or do Bodily Injury and is out on $25,000 bond.

The public was not notified because of expeditious manner in which it was handled.