Former Florida data scientist Rebekah Jones was arrested on charges of hacking into the state’s emergency response system – and later learned she tested positive for COVID-19.
Jones – who said she was fired from the Department of Health in May for refusing to change coronavirus data – turned herself in late Sunday, the Tampa Bay Times reported.
Her attorney, Steve Dobson, said Jones, 31, was tested for COVID-19 after being admitted to Leon County Jail, and learned she was positive on Monday.
She is accused of illegally accessing Florida’s emergency health system, including by sending a November 10 message to pandemic state officials urging them “to speak up before another 17,000 people die. “.
‘You know this is wrong. You don’t have to be a part of this. Be a hero. Speak before it’s too late, ”the message read.
Authorities raided Jones’s home in December and seized her computers and other data equipment.
Jones – who was a vocal critic of Gov. Ron DeSantis’ handling of the pandemic and questioning the validity of the state’s COVID data – maintained her innocence.
In a statement on Twitter on Saturday, she said there was an arrest warrant against her and that she would surrender “to protect my family from ongoing police brutality and to show that I am willing to fight anything they throw at me.”
“The governor will not win his war on science and freedom of speech. He will not silence those who speak out, ”she wrote.
Jones was charged with unauthorized access to a computer system, which carries a prison sentence of up to five years.
She was released Monday on $ 2,500 bail after an appearance in court.
“We’re going to defend this case vigorously,” her lawyer said.