Elijah Manley, who sought the Democratic nomination for Florida’s 20th Congressional District earlier this year, was arrested for allegedly writing threats on social media.

Manley, 27, faces two counts of written threats to kill or do bodily injury.

According to the arrest affidavit, the Broward Sheriff’s Office was notified about two posts on Facebook by an account using the name ‘elijahdmanley.’

“I’m talking to y’all. I saw y’all comments earlier. I’m already pissed off, do not piss me off more. I swear to god, take me to war over this black woman and I promise y’all I will burn y’all mf castle to the ground and anyone else in my way,” one of the messages allegedly read.

NBC 6 South Florida has more:

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Manley, the affidavit said, appeared to disagree with other users over Florida U.S. Senate candidate Angie Nixon.

In another post, the account with Manley’s name wrote, “This the type shii that will make me snap. Any of you that don’t support Angie Nixon, I promise you I will make your life a living h*** to the very end. You better lineup behind the Democratic nominee like we always do,” the affidavit said.

Manley also wrote “Every democrat needs to get behind the democratic nominee for Senate. Anybody not doing that, I promise you I’m going to cut your [expletive] head off.”

During the investigation, investigators believed the account did belong to Manley, and contact was made with another user, who told detectives that the comments made put her in fear, the affidavit said.

The user, the affidavit said, told detectives that the account with Manley’s name had been to her residence in the past for political fundraising activities. She also said the comments were made on Aug. 20.

According to WPBF, one of the alleged victims copied the posts and gave them to the sheriff’s office.

Eight days after the alleged comments, detectives met with two people at a residence to obtain sworn statements.

“Castle” in one of the alleged messages referred to their residences, the affidavit said.

WPBF noted:

The individuals reported the comments to Facebook. But according to the sheriff’s office report, Facebook stated that the posts failed to meet its safety guidelines for removal.

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The report noted that followers of Manley requested that he tone down the rhetoric he was using toward the victim.

“I’m not toning anything down. I’m tired of being told to tone my voice while white people get away with destroying everything. I want all white people to vote for the Democratic nominee,” another post by Manley stated.

WPLG-TV in Miami reported on Saturday, Oct. 17, that Manley was released from Broward County Jail on Saturday after posting $40,000 bond.

Prior to a rare mid-decade redistricting of U.S. Congressional Districts in the state, Florida’s 20th Congressional District, a majority-Black population district, included parts of Palm Beach County, from Belle Glade and South Bay in the west to parts of Royal Palm Beach, West Palm Beach, Lake Park, Mangonia Park and Riviera Beach to the east.

 

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