Gov. Scott Applauds Work of Joint Terrorism Task Force in Arrest of Alleged Terrorist

Governor Rick Scott today applauded the hard work of a Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) led Joint Terrorism Task Force which resulted in the arrest of an alleged terrorist in Miami. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) has counterterrorism agents on the Joint Terrorism Task Force because of the positions and funding proposed by Governor Scott and approved by the Governor and Legislature this year. The individual, who was reportedly inspired by ISIS, was allegedly planning to carry out a bombing of Dolphin Mall in Doral, Florida. Thanks to the work of federal, state and local law enforcement working collaboratively through the Joint Terrorism Task Force, the individual was arrested and taken into custody last week.
Governor Scott said, “I want to thank the members of the Joint Terrorism Task Force for their hard work and selfless dedication to the safety of our state and nation. This year, I proposed and signed $5.8 million and 46 counterterrorism agent positions for FDLE in the state budget to ensure Florida is doing our part to defeat terrorism and keep families safe. It is because of this critical funding that FDLE has counterterrorism agents on every Florida-based Joint Terrorism Task Force and were able to assist in this investigation and the arrest of this individual. The hate and evil of ISIS must be destroyed and these brave men and women work relentlessly to make sure that those who wish to harm us are identified and stopped before they can carry-out evil acts meant to harm innocent families.”
This year, Governor Scott proposed and then signed $5.8 million in the state budget for the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to add 46 counterterrorism agents to the State Terrorism Task Force. These agents specialize in counterterrorism and intelligence work hand-in-hand with local, state and federal intelligence agencies.