U.S. Rep. Jared Moskowitz disclosed Friday he was notified by Margate Police about a “possible plot on my life” in a manifesto posted by a felon one day before the Tuesday’s election.
Moskowitz, who represents the 23rd District in portions of Palm Beach and Broward Counties, posted information on X, which was later collaborated by the police department.
CBS News Miami
John Lapinski, 41, of Margate, was arrested and is facing three firearms charges relating to a convicted felon and a domestic injunction.
On Oct. 31, he was arrested at his home where there were reports of shots fired. He was subsequently Baker Acted and taken to Broward Health Imperial Point in Fort Lauderdale.
He was moved to the Broward County Jail in Fort Lauderdale on Saturday.
“During the investigation, our detectives located several firearms and evidence that indicated he may have been planning some type of criminal act,” police said in a release that did not mention the manifesto.
The Margate Police Department contacted the Broward Sheriff’s Office, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the FBI to assist with the investigation. The ATF is currently the lead agency for this investigation, Margate police said.
Moskowitz said Lapinski was arrested near his home in Parkland.
“Found with him was a manifesto, among other things, included antisemitic rhetoric and only my name on the ‘target” life,” Moskowitz, who is Jewish, said. “There are many other details that I will not disclose as I do not want to interfere with an ongoing investigation.”
On Oct. 31 at approximately 6:30 a.m., police had received a call of shots fired in the area.
An officer went to a house where the gunshots were believed to be originating.
Lapinski was found to be in possession of several guns and ammunition as well as body armor.
It was determined he has two felony convictions of resisting and officer with violence and grand theft in Lake County.
Moskowitz, 43, serves on the House task force on the attempted assassination of Donald Trump on July 13 in Butler, Pa.
“I understand the failures and importance of fixing the protection of our current Commander-in-Chief and Vice President,” Moskowitz wrote. “At the same time I am deeply worried about Congressional member security and the significant lack thereof when we are in the district. Regardless of our political affiliations or differences, we all have families we want to keep safe.”
On Tuesday, Moskowitz was elected to a second term, securing more than 52% of the vote against Republican Joseph “Joe” Kaufman, which was a margin of about 17,500.
Moskowitz has touted his ability to work with Republicans.
He was elected to the House in 2020 after serving in the Broward County Commission in an appointment by Republican Ron DeSantis.
Previously, he was Florida’s emergency operations manager under DeSantis, including during the pandemic. Before that, he was a Florida state representative from 2012 to 2019. His first election was in 2006 as a member of Parkland City Commission, which he served until 2012.
Moskowitz has a law degree from Nova Southeastern University,.
