A Florida man is facing a federal charge after authorities say he posted Instagram videos displaying firearms and tactical equipment while making threats directed at Jewish people.
Duncan Fraser MacDonald, identified in court documents as a Clay County resident, was charged with interstate transmission of a threat to injure another person in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida. He was arrested in Arizona on Sept. 20 and is awaiting extradition to Florida.
According to an FBI affidavit and criminal complaint, four Instagram Story videos were posted between Sept. 16 and Sept. 17. Investigators said the videos showed firearms, ammunition, tactical gear and other weapons-related equipment. One video allegedly included a statement about “hunting Jews,” while another reportedly referenced Adolf Hitler as the “Austrian painter.”
The investigation began after someone familiar with MacDonald reportedly captured the videos and alerted authorities. The information was ultimately provided to the Jacksonville Joint Terrorism Task Force through the Jewish Federation & Foundation of Northeast Florida and the Secure Community Network.
Investigators said they identified MacDonald after comparing the person shown in one of the videos with his Florida driver’s license photographs. Federal agents also obtained subscriber information from Meta and T-Mobile that they said connected him to the Instagram account and associated telephone number.
The complaint also describes a subsequent text exchange between MacDonald and the person who reported the posts. Authorities said the messages included a reference to a Shabbat service. After being told that the FBI and news media had been contacted, MacDonald allegedly responded dismissively.
The Jewish Federation & Foundation of Northeast Florida and the Secure Community Network said they worked with law enforcement to share information, support the investigation and help provide security-related awareness to members of the Jewish community.
MacDonald faces a federal charge under 18 U.S.C. § 875(c), which addresses certain interstate communications containing threats to injure another person. The case is ongoing, and the allegations have not been proven in court.
Credit: 10 Tampa Bay / WTSP
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