Edwin Guerrero, 25, is facing two federal counts of using interstate communication to issue threats against U.S. Rep. Randy Fine, according to charges filed in October. The case adds to eight state felony charges Guerrero already faced for making the threats on social media. His plea hearing, originally set for April 21 at the Viera Justice Center, has been moved to June 1 because Guerrero is in federal custody in another county, the State Attorney's Office said. Guerrero's legal team argues the federal charges amount to double jeopardy, but the State Attorney has not conceded that point.
The new federal charges stem from social media posts Guerrero made in 2024, where he used anti-Semitic language to threaten Fine's life. If convicted on all counts, Guerrero could face up to 175 years in prison. He was arrested in August 2024 and detained by U.S. Customs and Border Protection at Logan International Airport after returning from a trip to Florida, according to Florida Department of Law Enforcement documents. Fine, who previously represented Brevard County in the state legislature, now serves Florida's 6th District in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Guerrero's attorney, James Carter, said the federal charges overlap with the state charges and could prevent a fair trial. 'The same electronic threats are being prosecuted twice,' Carter said in a statement. The 18th Judicial Circuit's spokesman, Matt Reed, confirmed the State Attorney's Office is reviewing the federal charges but has not yet decided how to proceed with the state case. The rescheduling of Guerrero's plea hearing gives both sides more time to prepare.
The case has drawn attention from local officials and community leaders, who have called for swift justice. Brevard County Commissioner Lisa Stewart said the threats 'undermine the safety of our public servants and the trust of our residents.' Guerrero remains in federal custody, and his next court date is set for June 1. The federal trial is expected to focus on the specific social media posts and Guerrero's intent when making the threats.