Zachary Degross is acused of leaving a threatening comment on social media. | Jacksonville Sheriff's Office
Published on June 12, 2025 at 12:19 pm
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A Jacksonville man was arrested Wednesday after threatening to run over anti-Trump protesters during No Kings Day demonstrations on Saturday, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office said.
Zachary Degross, 26, posted his threat on social media, the Sheriff’s Office said. He was charged with sending a written threat to commit terrorism, a felony, according to Duval County jail records.
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Demonstrations are expected in Notheast Florida and hundreds of cities Saturday as people protest Trump administration policies, particularly immigration enforcement raids.
The event comes during days of protests in Los Angeles, where President Donald Trump deployed the National Guard to assist U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents.
Police say they got a tip from someone who saw a social media text about protests in Jacksonville. The post said the writer would “plow through” any protesters with a truck.
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“If I see any large gatherings to protest ice,” the post said, “I’m going to grab my buddies tow truck and plow through every ignant, un-american swine I see protestong the deportation of ILLEGAL immigrants,” since you believe in them so much why do you go with.”
Detectives tracked the social media account to Degross’ home and arrested him, police say.
In a social media post, the Sheriff’s Office said everyone has a constitutional right to peaceful protest.
“What you do not have the right to do is threaten others. Making a threat like the one Degross made is a felony,” the Sheriff’s Office said. “If you are making threats online to harm others, even if you don’t intend to follow through with that action, we will arrest you. We take every threat incredibly seriously.”
Protests in Northeast Florida
The “No Kings National Day of Mobilizations” is organized by Indivisible, a nonprofit coalition of progressive political action groups. The protests are scheduled the same day when Trump plans a massive armed services parade in Washington, D.C., to recognize Flag Day, which is also Trump’s birthday.
A number of No Kings Day protests are planned in Northeast Florida:
DUVAL COUNTY: A “sign-waving protest” is set for 9 to 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Beach and Hodges boulevards on the city’s Southside. Another is planned from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Duval County Courthouse at 501 W. Adams St.
CLAY COUNTY: A rally will take place from 10 a.m. to noon at 2297 Kingsley Ave. in Orange Park.
ST. JOHNS COUNTY: An event is scheduled from 10 to 11:45 a.m. Saturday at U.S. 1 & Race Track Road in Fruit Cove. Another is planned at 9:30 a.m. in St. Augustine. Participants must register at nokings.org/#map to get the address.
