Gang member, convicted felon threatened to shoot trooper that sped passed him: FHP
RIVERVIEW, Fla. - A plumber who is also a documented gang member and convicted felon called law enforcement and threatened to shoot a trooper on Sunday, according to authorities.
Officials say a FHP Trooper was conducting speed enforcement on the Howard Frankland Bridge in Pinellas County around 11:30 a.m. The trooper saw a speeding motorcycle and overtook the rider on the bridge, according to FHP.
READ: Man accused of killing moped driver in hit-and-run turned himself in hours later: Tampa Police
Authorities say a man later identified as James Edward Keister Jr called the FHP dispatch center and said that a trooper just sped passed him. Keister then stated that he would shoot the trooper if he saw him again, according to FHP.
Courtesy: Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office
Troopers say Keister provided his name, phone number, and asked to speak with a supervisor.
Keister is a convicted felon and documented Latin King gang member, according to investigators.
An FHP Sergeant contacted Keister and told him that threatening to shoot a Trooper was a criminal offense. However, officials say Keister told them that he did not care and would go to jail for it.
Authorities say Keister was driving a Mr. Rooter Plumbing work truck that had GPS monitoring. The company gave officials Keister's location, according to law enforcement.
Troopers say Keister was found and arrested in Hillsborough County at Williams Park Boat Ramp.
According to the arrest report, Keister was charged with:
- Threat of death or serious bodily harm of specified personnel x2
- Possession of concealed handcuff key
- Unlawful use of two-way communications device
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