Port St. Lucie Man Arrested on Felony Threat Charges Following FBI Investigation

A joint investigative effort initiated by a tip from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has resulted in the arrest of a Port St. Lucie, Florida, man on felony charges related to making written threats. Officers with the Port St. Lucie Police Department (PSLPD) took Aria Asghari into custody on January 9 following allegations that he sent concerning electronic communications detailing violence.

According to the police report, Asghari faces a second-degree felony charge for sending a written or electronic threat to kill or cause bodily injury. PSLPD spokesperson Brittany Holly stated that the investigation began after the FBI alerted local authorities to emails sent by the suspect. Investigators allege the communications contained references to “bomb making” and similar violent themes.

Authorities indicated that the emails were directed at a woman residing in another state who had a prior relationship with the suspect. The recipient reported the correspondence to the FBI, which subsequently contacted the PSLPD. The police report, which has been redacted, notes that Asghari, originally from Iran, had undergone a significant shift in religious ideology. The document states he believed he was the “next Messiah” and had explicitly “expressed sympathy for mass shooters.”

Following a thorough vetting of the intelligence, detectives established probable cause for the arrest. Asghari was booked into the St. Lucie County Jail without incident. Official records confirm that he was subsequently Baker Acted, a procedure under Florida law for emergency mental health examination, and a risk protection order has been filed against him. Court records indicate no prior arrests for Asghari within St. Lucie County.

Investigative Outlook and Public Safety Mechanisms

This case highlights the critical operational role of federal-to-local intelligence sharing in preempting potential violence. The swift transition from a federal tip to a local arrest demonstrates the protocols intended to address “red flag” behaviors, such as expressed sympathy for mass violence and messianic delusions. The filing of a risk protection order suggests law enforcement is utilizing state-level legal mechanisms to restrict the suspect’s access to firearms pending further adjudication. As the investigation proceeds, prosecutors will likely assess the credibility of the threats alongside the suspect’s mental state. It is important to note that all individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.