TAMPA, Fla. — A Tampa Bay dentist is facing federal charges, accused of sending threats of violence to dozens of people, including a reverend in Oregon. 

What You Need To Know

  • Tampa Bay dentist Dr. Richard Kantwill is facing federal charges of making violent threats 

  • He could face a maximum of 15 years if convicted 

  • An Oregon minister told Spectrum Bay News 9 he was one of Kantwill's victims

  • According to the FBI, Kantwilll told the minister "prepare to die" 

Dr. Richard Kantwill, 60, faces three counts of interstate transmission of a threat to injure. He could face a maximum penalty of 15 years in federal prison if he is convicted.

According to the U.S. Attorney, Kantwill sent threats to 42 different victims via phone, email, social media and text messages.

In one email, Kantwill is accused of writing “Hire extra security…you’re gonna need it. I plan on f---ing you up…just for the fun of it.”

According to prosecutors, another victim received a text saying, “Cannot wait to shoot your ghetto a—in the street,” before concluding with a racial epithet.

Rev. Dr. Chuck Currie, a minister with United Church of Christ, told Spectrum Bay News 9 he was another of Kantwill’s victims. He said he was the recipient of a message calling him a “fake Reverend,” “Judas,” “a coward” and “an immoral degenerate.” According to the U.S. Attorney, Kantwill also said, “We are going to kill you. Torture first, then death.”

“This was, of course, a very violent threat. It talked about torture and death,” Currie said. “If we can’t figure out a way to talk to one another, we’re in a world of hurt.”

Currie describes United Church of Christ as a “progressive denomination that is welcoming to all people,” often vocal about their support for equality and women’s rights.

“Being first and being a little on the edge is kind of our thing,” Currie said, who has also publicly supported President Biden. “The pushback is often swift and sometimes violent.”

Some of Kantwill’s messages, according to prosecutors, show support for former President Trump.

“He really feels like – he believes – he is doing something for the great Donald Trump,” said Patsy Evans, a licensed mental health counselor in Tampa. “This is somebody who is very angry, very trapped and feels empowered by the threats.”

Kantwill’s attorney declined to comment for this story.

In court documents, a previous attorney for Kantwill noted his client had served as a captain in the U.S. Army, doing a tour in Iraq before becoming a dentist in the Bay area.

The lawyer stressed that Kantwill had no criminal history but admitted to issues with alcoholism and post-traumatic stress. He’s scheduled to go to trial in September.

Currie did not reply to the message from Kantwill, but did forward it to the FBI.

“You can disagree with someone politically without threatening to kill them,” Currie said. “That ought to be a basic line for American democracy.”