Miami Gardens Man Arrested and Charged with Mailing Hoax Threats to Broward Government Offices

Wifredo A. Ferrer, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida; John V. Gillies, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Miami Field Office; Addy Villanueva, Special Agent in Charge, Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), Miami Field Office; and Al Lamberti, Sheriff, Broward County Sheriff’s Office (BSO), announced that the defendant Tarvess David Taylor, 26, of Miami Gardens, was charged and arrested for mailing hoax threats to various local government offices in Broward County. The five-count indictment, which was returned on April 12, 2012, charges Taylor with mailing five envelopes containing a powdery substance, in violation of the hoax threat statute, Title 18, United States Code, Section 1038(a)(1).

More specifically, the indictment alleges that on October 4, 2011, Taylor mailed five separate envelopes, each containing a powdery substance. The envelopes were addressed to the Broward County Sheriff’s Office and the State Courthouse of the 17th Judicial Circuit of Florida. As a result of these mailings, the Broward County Sheriff’s Office and the State Courthouse of the 17th Judicial Circuit of Florida had to be closed while the Broward County Fire-Rescue HAZMAT Team responded to the scene to collect the powdery substance and ensure the safety of the facilities.

If convicted, Taylor faces a maximum statutory term of imprisonment of up to five years on each of the five counts.

Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of the FBI, FDLE, and BSO. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Walleisa.

An indictment is only an accusation and a defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida at www.usdoj.gov/usao/fls.