A Virginia man who threatened to kill Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey will avoid prison but lose his social media privileges for years, after a judge ordered a tightly controlled probation that keeps him offline and in anger-management classes.
Jacob Alexander Devan, 21, has been barred from using social media and placed on supervised probation after pleading no contest to threatening to kill the sheriff. On Thursday, a judge found Devan guilty but spared him prison, ordering anger-management classes, 100 hours of volunteer work at an animal shelter, and a five-year social-media prohibition while he serves probation. Prosecutors say the case stems from Facebook messages Devan sent in June that directly threatened the sheriff and his family.
In a release posted by the State Attorney's Office, prosecutors said Devan sent the messages on June 14, 2025, that read, "I will kill you and your family," "I'll shoot you till you won't breathe anymore," and "I know where you live." Investigators obtained an arrest warrant, and the office said Devan's mother then drove him from their Washington, D.C., suburb to Brevard County so he could turn himself in. A booking photo was taken on June 25, 2025.
A Virginia man who threatened in Facebook messages to shoot and kill Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey will be barred from social media during five years of supervised probation. JACOB A. DEVAN, 21, also must work 100 volunteer hours at an animal shelter under a plea agreement… pic.twitter.com/AJqzs9lPdg
— State Attorney 18th Circuit FL (@SA18PIO) May 21, 2026
Courtroom hearing
The judge did not mince words while laying out the consequences if Devan violates probation. During the hearing, as reported by ClickOrlando, the judge warned Devan, "If you're thinking of doing something, you'll be riding here in a van, shackled," adding, "It's no fun."
Devan pleaded no contest to charges of making written or electronic threats to kill and the unlawful use of a two-way communication device and was adjudicated guilty at that hearing, the outlet reported.
Orders and restrictions
According to the State Attorney's Office, the judge prohibited Devan from owning firearms in Florida and Virginia and placed him on five years of supervised probation. As conditions of that probation, he must complete an anger-management course, perform 100 volunteer hours at an animal shelter, and stay off social media while he is under supervision. The office said Devan will be allowed to serve his probation in Virginia.
Legal context
Florida law treats written or electronic death threats as a serious offense. Florida Statute 836.10 makes written threats to kill or do bodily injury a second-degree felony, and prosecutors and law enforcement agencies say electronic messages meet the statutory definition and can carry prison time, probation, and other sanctions, depending on the charge and plea agreement. Florida Senate
Online threats aimed at public officials typically draw fast attention from prosecutors, and this case shows how a no-contest plea can lock in stiff restrictions without a trial. Devan's probation terms are structured to keep him away from both weapons and the platforms prosecutors say he used to send the threats.
