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Fort Lauderdale ex-candidate released on $40,000 bond in threat case
An arrest affidavit says Facebook posts investigators linked to Elijah Manley threatened two people amid political disagreements. Manley denies the allegations and says the posts were part of a political discussion.
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — A 27-year-old former congressional candidate from Fort Lauderdale was released from jail after posting $40,000 bond, following his arrest on two counts of intimidation over Facebook posts that investigators say threatened two people.
An affidavit says the Broward Sheriff’s Office Threat Management Unit was notified Aug. 21 about posts made the previous evening from an account using the name “elijahdmanley.” Investigators believe the account belonged to Elijah Daniel Gabriel Manley. A person who reported the posts provided screenshots, according to the affidavit.
The messages included threats of physical harm, the document says. One post threatened to burn down a location and harm anyone who got in the way. Other messages warned people who opposed political candidates, including state Rep. Angie Nixon, that the writer would make their lives difficult or cause them harm.
Investigators said the dispute appeared to involve opposing views about a political candidate. The posts had been removed by the time authorities documented the case. The affidavit says at least two people expressed concern for their safety; one told deputies the comments had left her afraid. The victims’ names were redacted.
Manley’s attorney, Khurrum Wahid, said Manley surrendered to authorities and denies the allegations. In a statement, Wahid characterized the posts as part of a political discussion the parties had engaged in over several weeks and said the defense believes there was no intent to carry out violence.
A judge’s bond conditions require Manley to avoid contact with the victims, refrain from possessing weapons or ammunition and not post on social media, according to the Broward State Attorney’s Office. He was released from the Broward County Main Jail on Saturday morning after posting bond.
The state attorney’s office said it would not handle the case because of a conflict of interest. It asked Gov. Ron DeSantis’ office to assign the matter to another state attorney’s office, citing the victims’ past participation in charitable drives organized by the Broward office.
Manley was among the candidates in the 2026 Democratic primary for Florida’s 20th Congressional District. He did not win the nomination. The charges are allegations, and Manley has denied them.