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A Floridian was charged with threatening an act of terrorism after allegedly ending a call to BlueCross BlueShield with "Delay, Deny, Depose," the words written on the ammo that killed Brian Thompson.
Murder Suspect Luigi Mangione’s Writings Call Out “Parasites” Who “Had It Coming”
One Florida resident is dealing with legal troubles.
Briana Boston of Lakeland, Fla., was arrested on Dec. 10 over an alleged threat she made over the phone during a call with BlueCross BlueShield regarding a denied medical insurance claim, according to NBC News.
In an affidavit obtained by the outlet, the Lakeland Police Department said their officers were contacted by the FBI Dec. 10 because the 42-year-old ended her recorded phone call by saying, "Delay, deny, depose. You people are next."
The phrase tipped off authorities because the words "deny," "defend" and "depose" were written on the ammunition used by the gunman who murdered UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in New York City on Dec. 4. (Luigi Mangione is currently in custody after being charged with the shooting.)
The affidavit noted the similarities between the messages, writing that the words have become "a nationally recognized phrase directed against insurance companies."
Boston later apologized to authorities, according to the affidavit, saying she "used those words because it's what is in the news right now" after learning of the phrase because of the UnitedHealthcare shooting.
While Boston told authorities she did not own firearms and "was not a danger to anyone," she added, via the affidavit, "Healthcare companies played games and deserved karma from the world because they are evil."
Authorities believe the statements were meant to threaten the insurance company, with the affidavit noting they believe "there is sufficient probable cause to charge Boston with Threats to conduct a mass shooting or an act of terrorism, based on the recorded phone call with BlueCross Blue Shield."
And according to Lakeland Police Chief Sam Taylor, Boston should have been more careful with her wording.
Lakeland Police Dept.
"She's been in this world long enough that she certainly should know better that you can't make threats like that in the current environment that we live in," he said, per NBC News affiliate WFLA, "and think that we're not going to follow up and put you in jail."
He added, "She readily admitted that, 'Yeah that's exactly what I said but I didn't mean anything by it.' Well, you don't get to pull that back after you say it."
Boston's attorney Jim Headley told a judge during her first appearance in court, per WFLA, "My client is 42, married mother of three. Never had any criminal charges or convictions. May you release her on her own recognizance."
Her bond is currently set at $100,000.
E! News has reached out to Boston's lawyer and the Lakeland Police Department for comment, but has not heard back yet.
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