WASHINGTON — A Florida dentist was sentenced Tuesday to two years in prison for threatening public figures, an election official, and others between 2019 and 2024.
Dr. Richard Kantwill pleaded guilty in November 2024 to four counts of interstate transmission of a threat.
In September 2024, Rev. Dr. Chuck Currie, a minister with United Church of Christ, told Spectrum Bay News 9 that he was one of Kantwill’s victims.
He said he was the recipient of a message calling him a “fake Reverend,” “Judas,” “a coward” and “an immoral degenerate.”
According to court documents, Kantwill used Facebook and Instagram, along with email and text messages, to communicate threats to "various public figures based on their political commentary."
A news release from the U.S. Department of Justice said Kantwill sent over 100 threats from September 2019 to July 2020, then sent at least seven more threats to public figures from April 2022 to April 2024.
The FBI investigated the case.
Currie released a statement Wednesday that said in part: "In a democracy, no one should have their life threatened because of their religious or political views: not me, not Mr. Trump, which is why I have always condemned violent rhetoric, regardless of where such rhetoric is aimed."
He added, "I will pray for Dr. Kantwill and his family, along with those in the justice system tasked with determining the course of Dr. Kantwill's life from this point forward."
To read his full statement, click here.
