A Florida man has been charged with "making a threat by means of fire or an explosive" to a U.S. Air Force base about two days after asuspicious package was foundoutside a gate, court documents show.
Jonathan James Elder, 35, is accused of making threatening phone calls to the MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Florida, according to a federal criminal complaint filed on Friday, March 20. He was arrested on Monday, March 23, an arrest warrant obtained by USA TODAY showed.
In the complaint, an agent from the Federal Bureau of Investigation wrote that Elder called the base twice on the morning of March 18 and allegedly made threats against the base to employees. Military officialspreviously reportedthat the base was placed under a shelter-in-place order, which waslifted several hours later, after a threat was received on March 18.
Smoke rises following an explosion, after Israel and the U.S. launched strikes on Iran, in Tehran, Iran, February 28, 2026." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Smoke rises following an explosion after the U.S. and Israel reportedly launched an attack against Iran, in Tehran, Iran, February 28, 2026, in this screen grab taken from video." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
A plume of smoke rises following a reported explosion in Tehran on February 28, 2026. Two loud blasts were heard in Tehran on February 28 morning by AFP journalists, and two plumes of thick smoke were seen over the centre and east of the Iranian capital. Israel's defence ministry announced it had launched a "preemptive strike" on Iran as sirens sounded in Jerusalem and people across the country received phone alerts about an "extremely serious" threat." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />
U.S. President Donald Trump pumps his fist after disembarking Air Force One at Palm Beach International Airport in West Palm Beach, Florida, U.S., February 27, 2026. Hours later, Trump made live comments about the military strikes he launched against Iran." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Buildings inin Tehran stand after Israel and the U.S. launched strikes on Iran, February 28, 2026." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Latest photos capture US and Israeli strikes against Iran
Smoke rises following an explosion,after Israel and the U.S. launched strikes on Iran, in Tehran, Iran, February 28, 2026.
During a call, Elder allegedly referred to the suspicious package that had been discovered on March 16 at the base's visitor center near a gate, according to the complaint. A call was made to the main phone line of the base at around 9:11 a.m. local time on March 18 and was routed to the 6th Medical Group.
The caller allegedly asked an employee, "How did you like the surprise at the MacDill Visitor Center?" and then yelled, "tick tick boom, it's gonna be between your eyes," the complaint states.
Investigators then traced the caller's phone number and obtained call records, cell-site data, Meta account records, and information about an address associated with an assisted-living facility in St. Petersburg, Florida, according to the complaint. Investigators were able to link the phone number and address with a Facebook account under the name "Jon Elder," the complaint states.
After locating Elder at the assisted-living facility, the complaint states that Elder later admitted to calling the base but told investigators that his statements were "meaningless" and denied making any weapons. Further investigation revealed that Elder has a history of making similar threats and had searched for the base's phone number after reading news articles related to the suspicious package.
Elder was taken to a mental health provider under Florida's Baker Act, which allows a person to be held involuntarily for up to three days, according to the complaint.
FBI says package at Air Force base had 'possible energetic materials'
After the package had been discovered at the base, military officials closed nearby roadways, blocked access to public businesses, and shut down the base's main entrance for about seven hours, according to the complaint.
Following a preliminary investigation, theFBI's Tampa field officesaid on March 18 that field screening was conducted on the package's contents and identified "possible energetic materials." The FBI did not provide further details on the material found in the package.
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"Final lab analysis is not yet complete," the FBI said ina statementon March 18. "The investigation remains active and ongoing. No further details can be shared at this time."
Energetic materials are substances that store large amounts of chemical energy and rapidly release it when triggered by heat, shock, or friction, according toSafety Management Services. Common energetic materials include explosives, propellants, and fuel.
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MacDill Air Force Base under heightened alert amid war in Iran
The MacDill Air Force Base is located on the southwestern tip of the interbay peninsula of Florida. The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) is headquartered at the base and is responsible for military operations in 20 nations across the Middle East, Central Asia, and parts of South Asia.
Since the war in Iran began on Feb. 28, U.S. military bases, including the MacDill Air Force Base, and federal counterterrorism agencies have been onhigh alertfor a potential retaliatory attack in the United States.
USA TODAYpreviously reportedthat bases have shut down in response to reports of active shooters, suspicious packages, and other unidentified threats. A growing number of military bases in the country have also clamped down on security, banning visitors and ordering service members to change out of uniform when they leave the premises.
On Tuesday, March 17, the MacDill Air Force Base announced it was operating under Force Protection Charlie, referred to as "FPCON CHARLIE." The FPCON level is the second-highest alert level and indicates that a threat is likely, according to theDefense Logistics Agency.
"This posture allows us to implement deliberate security measures proactively," the base said ina statement. "All personnel should remain vigilant, follow the direction of security forces, and report any suspicious activity immediately. Everyone plays a role in base defense – if you see something, say something."
Contributing: Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA TODAY
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Florida man charged with making threatening calls to US Air Force base
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