MONROE COUNTY, Fla. — A 25-year-old Key West resident was arrested Thursday on a felony charge after allegedly threatening to kill another man via Facebook Messenger, authorities said.
Ignacio Valdez is facing one count of sending written communications containing threats to kill or cause bodily injury, according to jail records. The incident highlights the growing concern over online threats and their real-world consequences.
Online Threats Lead to Arrest in the Florida Keys
A dispute escalating online resulted in felony charges for a Key West man.
- Ignacio Valdez, 25, was arrested Thursday, December 19, 2025.
- The charges stem from threats made via Facebook Messenger to a 58-year-old man.
- Valdez allegedly threatened violence if the victim didn’t leave Florida.
- He claimed access to firearms and gang affiliation, according to authorities.
- Valdez was arrested near Sugarloaf Key and is scheduled for arraignment on January 14, 2026.
The 58-year-old victim reported receiving online and voice messages from Valdez threatening to kill him if he remained in Florida. According to Adam Linhardt, a spokesperson with the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, Valdez also warned the victim he would be physically harmed if encountered in Key West.
Investigators say Valdez further claimed he had access to guns, was connected to a gang, and was prepared to serve prison time for the alleged crime. These statements prompted law enforcement to obtain an arrest warrant.
Valdez was booked into jail Thursday after being apprehended near Sugarloaf Key. The arrest underscores the seriousness with which authorities are treating online threats.
A motive for the threatening messages remains undisclosed at this time. The investigation is ongoing.
Valdez’s arraignment is scheduled for January 14, 2026.
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