Sheriff doubles down on support for Biden's FBI

By John Labriola - Citrus County Sheriff Mike Prendergast is facing renewed criticism for bragging about his ongoing cooperation with the Biden Justice Department in rounding up January 6 protesters and declaring them criminals before a trial. 

Last week, Prendergast announced his department partnered with the FBI in the May 2 arrest of a Homosassa man who is being charged with assaulting a law enforcement officer during the Jan. 6, 2021, demonstration at the U.S. Capitol.

It was the second time in less than 10 weeks that the Citrus County Sheriff's Office (CCSO) has participated in the arrest of a January 6 protester. On Feb. 27, sheriff's deputies and FBI agents arrested Jesse Rumson, 37, of Lecanto, in a predawn shock and awe raid complete with a full SWAT team, two armored vehicles, concussion grenades and a helicopter. Rumson, who is awaiting trial on several felony counts, has publicly denied the charges and is seeking a dismissal based partly on what he calls his unconstitutional arrest. 

The announcement of the CCSO's latest arrest, which according to sources was peacefully executed, was made on the department's Facebook page in blustering language almost identical to Prendergast's February post about Rumson's arrest, which drew harsh criticism.

“Once again, CCSO officials worked with our fellow law enforcement partners...to arrest 38-year-old Daniel Ball, of Homosassa, for his criminal actions during the 2021 Capitol breach. We will continue to partner with both our state and federal partners to arrest those involved in the breach of our Capitol. These individuals overstepped their first amendment rights when they invoked a mass riot and ensuing mob that placed the lives of others in danger. More so, they violated the law when they assaulted and impeded those who took an oath to protect and serve. Actions like that of Ball go against the very foundation of our nation. As I have previously said, I believe the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and the Department of Justice National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section will ensure justice prevails as they work to hold these criminals accountable for their actions,” Prendergast's Facebook announcement reads.

Prendergast's decision to double down on his vote of confidence in the Biden Justice Department, and what many see as the FBI's political psyop campaign to demonize Trump voters as domestic terrorists by advancing a particular narrative about the January 6 protests, drew another barrage of angry reactions from residents.

"The statement sounds like it was written by Nancy Pelosi's office," Ron Leon commented on Facebook.

Erik Tucker agreed: "Surely not everyone in the capital was planning to riot that day. From videos we’ve been shown, folks were let into the building. This isn’t crazy stuff or a conspiracy, it’s just fact. Almost more of entrapment than anything else. This is the most liberal statement from a Florida sheriff I’ve ever seen... I am glad to hear that Citrus County is completely crime free now, so much so that the sheriff’s office is starting to do work with the FBI, even hash-tagging them in their posts!" 

A number of residents chided Prendergast for disregarding the presumption of innocence by labeling the accused as "criminals." 

"This man has been charged with a crime; it is your duty to arrest him, NOT TRY and CONVICT. The commentary provided is inappropriate and your opinion. Did the presumption of innocence until proven guilty along with affording citizens the right to due process die under your watch?" commented Brenda K. Woods.

Rumson, who has gone public with his criticism of the government's case against him and the manner of his arrest, spoke out at the Citrus County Trump Club for the second time this Tuesday.

"I was invited into the Capitol building and then savagely beaten by officers that I surrendered to," Rumson said. Describing the Feb. 27 raid on his home, Rumson said officers tore down doors and seized several items belonging to his family members and roommates after refusing to present him with a warrant. 

"They took phones that didn't belong to me, and when they didn't find everything they wanted, they figured they would go next door to my elderly dying grandfather, bang on his door and confiscate his phone," he said. "Prendergast had to sign off on the warrant. It was the sheriff's helicopter that came over, and he OK'd everything. Then afterwards they left a warrant with absolutely nothing on it, which is another violation." (See video HERE.) 

Cathi Chamberlain, a Tampa Bay-area conservative activist and author who was invited to speak at Tuesday's Trump Club meeting along with Rumson, believes the sheriff's apparently blind trust in federal agencies poses a serious threat to all Citrus County residents' civil liberties. She noted how Biden's Justice Department has slapped the "domestic terrorist" label on parents who have complained at school board meetings about Critical Race Theory and the radical LGBT agenda and how the FBI is now reportedly targeting traditional Catholics. She called for a march on Prendergast's office to demand to know where he will stand when the FBI comes after whatever group is next on its "domestic terrorists" list. 

Trump Club President Billy Cayce blasted Prendergast for once again echoing the left's talking points about the January 6 election protest in his recent arrest announcement. 

"I am extremely disappointed in Sheriff Prendergast for continuing to call the January 6 Save America Rally a mass riot. It was a peaceful demonstration until it was infiltrated by troublemakers. Mike must have missed the airing of the January 6 tapes by Tucker Carlson where the so-called rioters were invited in and escorted throughout the Capitol by the Capitol police," Cayce said. "The sheriff is in denial if he believes the DOJ and FBI are doing a good job. The prosecutors have been caught hiding evidence on numerous occasions to facilitate the convictions of these patriots. Well, Sheriff, where is the justice for these patriots under the law when numerous political prisoners are being held for two or more years without a trial? Most of the prisoners are veterans of the armed forces and law enforcement!"