A Jacksonville man, identified as 51-year-old Nathaniel James Holmes, has been charged with four counts of making interstate threats. This indictment follows his alleged transmission of threats to injure others in October, including specific threats to kill three individuals and general threats against Jewish and African American communities. A press release from the U.S. Department of Justice indicates that if Holmes is convicted on all counts, he may be looking at up to 20 years in federal prison.
The indictment details that on four separate occasions, Holmes is accused of threatening to seriously harm people. The content of these threats was serious enough to trigger an investigation by multiple federal agencies, including the FBI and Secret Service, among others. Holmes was arrested on November 1st and is currently being held pending the outcome of a competency evaluation. While an indictment signals serious allegations, the principles of justice stipulate that Holmes remains presumed innocent until proven to be otherwise guilty.
It was on October 24, behind closed doors, that a sealed indictment was brought against Holmes. The case opened up to the public when authorities decided to unseal the indictment. The investigation has been a collaborative effort consisting of various federal bodies, pointing to the gravity of the charges Holmes is up against.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kelly S. Milliron and Michael J. Coolican, alongside Trial Attorney Jacob Warren of the Justice Department's National Security Division, have the charge of prosecuting this case. The team will be to diligently work to present the government's side when the court proceedings begin. As of now, no dates for a trial have been set.
