Florida Man Sentenced for Threatening to Kill Newspaper Reporter, Muslims, and Politicians

Gainesville, Florida – Peter Daniel Ring, 31, of Bell, Florida, was sentenced to 27 months in prison after previously pleading guilty to sending multiple threatening interstate communications to kill or cause physical injuries. The sentence was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “With threats and acts of violence directed at public figures becoming alarmingly more frequent, my office is committed to aggressively prosecuting cases like this to send a clear message: we have zero-tolerance for criminality in the Northern District of Florida. Threats of violence by deranged individuals can quickly lead to actual violence. Vigilant investigative work by our federal law enforcement partners and aggressive prosecutions can prevent tragedy from striking.”

Court documents reveal that in June 2025 the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) received a complaint that a threat to kill a reporter had been received. The defendant was identified as the source of the threat, and when contacted by the FBI he said he would not make any more threats.   However, two months later, the FBI received another tip that the defendant was posting religiously and politically motivated threats of violence against Muslim people, members of the media, and prominent politicians. Between May and September 2025, the defendant made threats to kill or cause physical injury to at least fourteen victims.       

“Threats of violence are never taken lightly,” said FBI Jacksonville Special Agent in Charge Jason Carley. “This person’s actions caused fear and disruption, and the sentencing reflects the serious consequences of threatening to take innocent lives. The FBI will not tolerate individuals who use intimidation to terrorize our communities.”

The conviction and sentence were the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Christie S. Utt prosecuted the case.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.

The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General.  To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndfl.