Rebekah Jones, Florida’s former COVID-19 computer scientist, handed herself over to police after a warrant was issued for her arrest for illegal use of the state’s computer system, reports CBS Miami. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement announced the arrest of Jones, 31, Monday morning. The agency said it was charged with a number of offenses against users of computers, computer systems, computer networks and electronic devices.
In the court report, it appears that Jones posted a $ 2,500 bond after an initial trial in Tallahassee Monday morning. Before she handed herself in, she mailed on Twitter: “Censored by the State of Florida until further notice.”
She wrote earlier: “Insurgents are planning attacks across the country this week, and Florida is putting scientists in jail for the crimes of knowing and speaking.”
In a statement to CBS News, Jones’ lawyer said she tested positive for COVID-19 after she surrendered. The lawyer said Florida officials had earlier threatened to arrest her in DC and extradite her to Florida, meaning her decision to surrender voluntarily. “saved the entire East Coast from exposure to contamination.”
Jones tweeted she surrendered herself to “protect” her family.
“To protect my family from continued police violence and to show that I am ready to fight for everything they throw at me, I changed myself Sunday night in Florida,” she tweeted. “The governor will not win his war against science and freedom of speech. He will not silence those who speak out,” she added.
According to Florida law enforcement officials, Jones has been under investigation since early November after someone illegally had access to the emergency health care system and warned employees to speak out before another 17,000 people died. You know this is wrong. to be a part of this. Be a hero. ‘
Federal authorities raid her home seized her computers and other computer equipment in December.
“Evidence obtained from a search warrant on December 7 shows that Jones had illegal access to the system and sent a message to approximately 1,750 people and downloaded confidential FDOH data and stored it on her own,” according to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
Just after the raid, she tweeted a video of agents entering her home and accusing DeSantis of sending the “Gestapo” after him. She said they aimed guns at her and her children.
She has meanwhile filed a lawsuit about searching her home.
The DeSantis administration fired Jones in May after she accused state health officials of manipulating data to suppress the number of reported COVID-19 cases and deaths. After her dismissal, Jones set up a competitive COVID-19 dashboard to display data on the virus.