Former Florida data scientist Rebekah Jones has been arrested on charges of hacking into the state’s emergency response system – and later learned that she tested positive for COVID-19.
Jones, who said she was fired from the health department in May for refusing to change coronavirus data, converted her late Sunday, the Tampa Bay Times reported.
Her lawyer, Steve Dobson, said Jones, 31, was tested for COVID-19 after being booked into the Leon County detention facility, and learned she was positive Monday.
She is accused of having illegal access to Florida’s emergency health system, including sending a message to state officials on November 10 dealing with the pandemic, urging them to ‘speak out before another 17,000 people die’ .
“You know it’s wrong. You do not have to participate in this. Be a hero. Speak out before it’s too late, ”reads the message.
Authorities raided Jones’ home in December and confiscated her computers and other computer equipment.
Jones – who was an outspoken critic of Governor Ron DeSantis’ handling of the pandemic and questioned the validity of the state’s COVID data – upheld her innocence.
In a statement on Twitter on Saturday, she said there was a warrant for her arrest and that she would surrender “to protect my family from continued police violence, and to show that I am ready to fight whatever they do for me. throw.”
“The governor will not win his war against science and freedom of speech. “He will not silence those who speak,” she wrote.
Jones is charged with unauthorized access to a computer system, which carries a sentence of up to five years in prison.
She was released on $ 2,500 bond on Monday after a court appearance.
“We are going to defend this case strongly,” her lawyer said.