Woman threatens to blow up Miami Beach Police Department

Police say Johanna Garcia, 39, left threatening voice mails, targeted sergeant

MIAMI BEACH, Fla. ā€“ A Hallandale Beach woman is accused of threatening to blow up the Miami Beach Police Department.

Johanna Garcia, 39, was arrested Sunday on multiple charges, including written threats to kill or do bodily harm and threatening to throw or place a destructive device.

According to a police report, Garcia made repeated telephone calls to and left multiple voice messages with the Miami Beach Police Department's Internal Affairs Unit last Friday. In the voice mails, Garcia can be heard saying, "I'mĀ gonnaĀ kill you all. I'mĀ gonnaĀ blow you up, (expletive)," the report said.

Garcia also threatened to "go after"Ā Sgt. Jorge Garcia, an Internal Affairs supervisor, the report said.

Police said pictures on Garcia's Facebook page show her holding two AK-47 assault rifles.

Earlier in April, the report said, Garcia sent an email to Miami Beach records manager John Babcock in which she wrote, "Answer me or watch me blow u up, so u never forget my name!"

During her initial court appearance Monday, Garcia couldn't keep quiet as Miami-Dade County Judge Mindy Glazer read aloud from the police report detailing the charges against her.

"They're lying," Garcia said, interrupting Glazer.

Garcia felt compelled to clarify the statements that she is alleged to have made to police.

"I said 'blow up your phone,' meaning I'm going to callā€¦," Garcia said before her microphone was turned off.

Local 10 News discovered a post on Fundly.com from a woman of the same name who claimed she was raped by police and that Internal Affairs won't investigate. The post included a picture of a woman holding two AK-47 assault rifles.

Garcia was being held at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center on $15,000 bond.


About the Author:

Peter Burke returned for a second stint of duty at Local 10 News in February 2014.