Detectives Arrest Man Accused of Threatening Internet Personality Online

Texas Man Arrested in Lakeland After Alleged Online Threats Toward Internet Personality Kaitlin Bennett

By Staff Reporter
iSkyNews.com (ISN) – Published March 13, 2026

LAKELAND, Fla. — Detectives with the Polk County Sheriff’s Office have arrested a Texas man accused of making threatening comments online toward internet personality Kaitlin Bennett, authorities said.

Investigators say 29-year-old Erik Michael David Ebbesen was taken into custody on February 24, 2026, at the Relax Inn in Lakeland. He was transported to the Polk County Sheriff’s Processing Center and charged with Written Threats to Kill (F2) and Unlawful Use of a Two-Way Communication Device (F3).

Erik Michael David Ebbesen / Polk County Sheriff’s Office

According to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, the investigation began on November 21, 2025, after Bennett contacted detectives about a threatening message posted on Instagram from an account using the name “erikhoudini.”

In the post, the user directed insulting and threatening language toward Bennett and referenced the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, while warning her to “be careful” about what she says.

Authorities say Bennett followed links connected to the account and discovered additional comments on the Discord platform where the same user allegedly discussed locating her at one of her public events and made further remarks referencing Kirk’s death.

Bennett, who frequently conducts man-on-the-street style interviews and political commentary online, told detectives the messages caused her to fear for her safety, particularly if she appeared in public in Lakeland.

Detectives Connect Suspect to Online Accounts

Polk County detectives say they were able to trace the “erikhoudini” accounts back to Ebbesen and link them to addresses in Austin and San Antonio, Texas.

During the investigation, detectives also found selfies and videos posted online by Ebbesen showing him in Lakeland, including footage taken on Massachusetts Avenue, just one block away from where the Lakeland Farmer’s Market is typically held.

Authorities noted that Bennett previously had a high-profile confrontation with a representative of the Lakeland Downtown Development Authority regarding her appearance at the Farmer’s Market in May 2025.

Because of Ebbesen’s online comments and his presence in the Lakeland area, detectives said they were concerned the situation could escalate beyond online threats.

Kaitlin Bennett on YouTube

Suspect Admits Posts Went “Too Far”

Following his arrest, investigators say Ebbesen admitted to detectives that his comments had gone too far.

According to authorities, he told detectives he did not intend to harm Bennett but acknowledged he had “crossed a boundary.” Ebbesen reportedly said he often tries to push the limits of his First Amendment rights, but realized he may have “pressed too hard.”

Detectives say he also admitted that referencing the assassination of Charlie Kirk and posting about wanting to locate Bennett at public events could reasonably be interpreted as threatening.

Sheriff Speaks on the Case

Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said while freedom of speech is protected, threats or intimidation will not be tolerated.

“Freedom of speech is a cornerstone of our constitutional republic, so when you try to intimidate or threaten someone else’s right to free speech, that’s a problem,” Judd said. “Erik Ebbesen admitted to our Cyber Crimes detectives that he went ‘a little too far,’ and he had ‘crossed a boundary.’ By him being in Lakeland where Bennett has had some high-profile appearances, we were concerned he was aiming to go even further.”

The investigation was handled by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office Cyber Crimes Unit.

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