Florida Dentist Arrested For Allegedly Sending Online Threats To 42 People

Cape Coral, FL - A Tampa-area dentist was arrested last week by Pinellas County Sheriff's deputies after allegedly threatening violence against multiple people online.

According to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Florida, 60-year-old Richard G. Kantwill sent threatening messages to at least 42 victims between August 2019 and July 2020.

These messages, described as "disturbing" and including approximately 100 threats, were posted on social media platforms.

According to court documents, Kantwill allegedly bragged about owning weapons and enjoying violence, referencing his service as a U.S. Army veteran.

He also allegedly made discriminatory and hateful statements towards several victims.

One message included threats of physical harm against a journalist, another targeted a religious figure, and a third expressed racial hatred.

Prosecutors are seeking a sentence of up to 15 years in federal prison for Kantwill on three counts of interstate transmission of a threat to injure.

Public records show that Kantwill is a licensed dentist, though reprimanded and fined by the Florida Board of Dentistry in 2007.

His dental license remains valid until February 2026.

Kantwill is currently being held without bond at the Pinellas County Jail.