Florida Man Charged for Threats Causing MacDill Lockdown

A 35-year-old man from Palm Harbor, Florida, faces federal charges for making threatening phone calls to MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, prompting a four-hour lockdown on March 18, just two days after authorities discovered a suspicious package outside a base gate.

Jonathan James Elder was arrested on Monday following an FBI investigation into the calls, which referenced the package found on March 16 at the base's visitor center. According to a criminal complaint filed in Tampa federal court, Elder contacted a base employee with the 6th Medical Group that morning, asking, "How did you like the surprise at the MacDill Visitor Center?" before adding, "tick tick boom, its gonna be between your eyes," and hanging up. Minutes earlier, he allegedly left a profanity-laced voicemail for a civilian, mistakenly reached, inquiring if the recipient enjoyed "your pipe bombs" and threatening that a device would explode in their face next time.

The threats triggered an immediate security response, with base officials ordering all personnel to shelter in place and closing the gates to incoming traffic. No injuries or further incidents were reported during the lockdown.