Rebekah JonesFlorida’s former COVID-19 data scientist turned herself in to police after an arrest warrant was issued against her for illegal use of the state’s computer system, CBS Miami reports. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement announced the arrest of Jones, 31, Monday morning. The agency said she has been charged with one-time crimes against users of computers, computer systems, computer networks and electronic devices.
Court records show that Jones posted a $ 2,500 bond after an initial hearing in Tallahassee on Monday morning. Before she turned herself in, she Posted on Twitter: “Censored by the State of Florida until further notice.”
She previously wrote, “Insurgents plan attacks across the country this week and Florida is jailing scientists for the crimes of knowing and speaking.”
In a statement to CBS News, Jones’s attorney said she tested positive for COVID-19 after registering herself. “saved the entire East Coast from exposure to infection.”
Jones tweeted she turned herself in to “protect” her family.
“To protect my family from ongoing police brutality, and to show that I am willing to fight anything they throw at me, I turn myself into the Florida police on Sunday night,” she tweeted. “The governor will not win his war on science and free speech. He will not silence those who speak up,” she added.
Florida Department of Law Enforcement officials said Jones has been under investigation since early November after someone illegally gained access to the state’s emergency health system, warning employees “to speak up before another 17,000 people are dead. You know this. is wrong. You don’t have to. To be a part of this. Be a hero. “
Federal authorities raided her home in December, confiscating her computers and other data equipment.
“Evidence obtained from a December 7 search warrant shows that Jones has illegally accessed the system by sending a message to approximately 1,750 people and has downloaded and stored confidential FDOH data on her devices,” said the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
Immediately after the raid, she tweeted a video of officers entering her home and accused DeSantis of sending the “Gestapo” after her. She said they were aiming guns at her and her children.
She has since filed a lawsuit about the search for her home.
The DeSantis government fired Jones in May after accusing state health officials of manipulating data to suppress the number of reported COVID-19 cases and deaths. After her resignation, Jones set up a competing COVID-19 dashboard to display data about the virus.