A Port St. Lucie man was arrested this week after allegedly making online threats to burn down an abortion clinic, authorities said. Stephen Gilbert, 27, was taken into custody after the local Police Department was alerted by a Planned Parenthood security official to an alarming message posted on social media.
According to a report by CBS12, Gilbert's post, dated Aug. 18, read "My goal for the week is to find the nearest Abortion Clinic and burn it to the ground #ProLife". The threat was taken seriously leading to a coordinated response involving local police and the FBI. When approached at his workplace, Gilbert admitted to penning the post but refuted possessing any weapons or bombmaking materials and conveyed that his online remark did not stem from an actual plan to commit arson.
The subsequent investigation led officers to Gilbert's residence, where they interviewed a roommate. Described in the arrest affidavit, the individual revealed that Gilbert frequently engaged in verbal terroristic threats, but seemed not particularly surprised by the gravity of the situation. Gilbert was arrested the following day and faced charges related to making threats of violence.
In addition to the abortion clinic threat, officials cited other concerning posts, including a disparaging response to a message from Vice President Kamala Harris. "And, on top of that, you’re a woman. Which is a big no-no. Men have always ran things in this country. That’s how it’s going to be," one of Gilbert's messages stated, CBS12 reported. Gilbert's criminal record, which includes previous arrests for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and other charges, was highlighted by police officials.
Providing context to his incendiary statements, Gilbert explained to police that he was upset after seeing a photograph of a woman online who flaunted a shirt claiming she had 21 abortions. As reported by TCPalm, he cited support for former President Donald Trump and expressed aversion towards "the leftist beliefs". He is currently facing a felony charge of intimidation for writing and sending a threat to kill or injure as stated by local authorities.
