Polk County deputy suspended, charged over alleged threat on US Capitol

A deputy with the Polk County sheriff’s office was arrested Tuesday and charged with a second-degree felony, accused of making a threat the evening of the deadly US Capitol riots on January 6.

Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd detailed the case and charges against deputy Peter Heneen during a press conference Tuesday evening.

Judd said the threat came to light because a fellow deputy shared a text exchange from Facebook Messanger where Deneen allegedly threatened to kill federal employees.

During Tuesday’s press conference, Judd read transcripts of the exchange.

Dineen has been suspended from the department pending the outcome of a termination hearing. He is also charged with making written threats to kill, conduct a mass shooting, or an act of terrorism. If convicted, Dineen faces up to 15 years in prison.