A late-night police scramble in Apopka ended with a 64-year-old man in handcuffs after officers say a series of private Facebook messages threatened Mayor Bryan Nelson and triggered an overnight response. Investigators say the messages, along with other online posts, immediately raised safety concerns inside City Hall and among congregations that reported getting similar communications.
Investigation and arrest
Police arrested Hector Raul Cartagena, 64, after a tip led investigators to private Facebook messages that allegedly named the mayor and used violent language, according to WESH. One alleged message quoted in the arrest report read, “I already promised the child rapist Byron Nelson that he will feel the warmth of my steel blade as I aerate his esophagus.”
Scene and charges
Officers say they caught up with Cartagena shortly before 1 a.m. outside a home on Pavia Drive. The arrest affidavit states he was wearing a black knife around his neck when officers contacted him, according to WKMG ClickOrlando. He now faces written and electronic threat charges, a separate count for threatening an elected official, and aggravated stalking with a credible threat, and is being held without bond.
Mayor reacts
Mayor Bryan Nelson told WESH he was notified about the alleged threats after leaving a Monday-night debate. He said staff at the mayor’s office were instructed to hit a panic button if the suspect showed up. “This has gone way over the top,” Nelson said, adding that he does not plan to withdraw from the race.
Legal context
Under Florida law, aggravated stalking that includes a “credible threat” is classified as a third-degree felony and is defined to include threats that are intended to make the target reasonably fear for their safety, according to the Florida Senate’s statutes. The statute chapter also notes that certain offenses can be reclassified or treated more severely when the victims are public officials.
Cartagena remains in the Orange County Jail pending prosecution, and police said a local church that received similar messages briefly considered hiring off-duty security in response, according to WKMG ClickOrlando. Authorities had not released a court date as of Wednesday night.
