Attorney criticizes police officers

WILTON MANORS — Craig Jungwirth, the man accused of posting a Facebook threat to “exterminate” gay people in Wilton Manors, is no longer facing federal prosecution.

But Thursday, the day after the federal charge was dropped, Wilton Manors police fanned out across Wilton Drive to distribute 150 posters showing two photos of Jungwirth along with his birth date, height and weight. The posters say the federal investigation isn’t over and that Jungwirth is still in custody pending prosecution on two unrelated misdemeanor charges.

Jungwirth, 50, remains in Broward County Jail on charges he skipped out on a bill at a Wilton Manors restaurant in 2014 and damaged windows at Rumors Bar & Grill in May.

His attorney was taken aback by news of the posters’ distribution.

“I find it very unusual and a little disheartening that we have all this being done and he hasn’t even been released from custody,” said Ron Baum, attorney for Jungwirth. “You can summarize what’s going on here in three words: Salem witch trials. What will law enforcement do if they find out Craig is innocent? Everyone will be silent. There won’t be any apologies.”

Jungwirth, of Orlando and formerly of Wilton Manors, has been jailed since early September.

He was arrested on allegations he posted an online threat that read, in part: “None of you deserve to live. If you losers thought the Pulse nightclub shooting was bad, wait till you see what I’m planning for Labor Day.”

The Pulse nightclub in Orlando was the scene of a June 12 mass shooting that left 49 people plus the shooter dead and at least 68 injured. A tipster sent a screenshot of the Facebook post to law enforcement Aug. 30.

Wilton Manors Police Chief Paul O’Connell said the posters were just one way to keep the public informed about an important case.

“When this thing first surfaced in late August, our community was stunned,” O’Connell said. “You need a reasonable likelihood of conviction. According to our friends at the U.S. Attorney’s Office, we don’t have it.”

The posters will be posted on the Police Department’s website and made available at City Hall, the chief said.

“This is to keep people well-informed,” he said. “If you see something, say something.”

Jungwirth was in bond court Thursday morning seeking release, but Judge Michael Davis said he could not change a bond imposed by another judge.

Jungwirth’s next court hearing is set for 9 a.m. Jan. 19.

Wilton Manors Mayor Gary Resnick acknowledged the posters were “a little unusual,” but said city residents and business owners were not on edge.

“A few people were concerned about him because they knew him personally,” Resnick said. “This was to alleviate their concerns.”

CARLINE JEAN/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Wilton Manors officer Jennifer Bickhardt talks to Keith Mitto at 5 Elements Spa. Bickhardt went door to door along Wilton Drive after a federal charge against Craig Jungwirth was dropped. Jungwirth was accused of making online threats against gays in...